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What Are Some Signs of Depression?

According to the Mayo Clinic, depression is one of the most common health conditions in the world. Depression can be managed very effectively. Identifying the signs and symptoms of depression will help you seek the medical attention that you need. Depression cannot be managed alone. If you feel that you are suffering from depression, contact a mental health professional to begin evaluation.

  1. Persistent Sadness

    • Sadness is a normal emotional response to a life experience. Sadness is defined as an emotion similar to feelings of helplessness, sorrow, misery and grief. If your feelings of sadness have persisted for more than two weeks, and you do not understand the reason for your sadness, you may be dealing with depression. Sadness can make you feel as if you are living in a black hole or that you are lifeless and empty.

    Change in weight

    • Some people find that when they are depressed they lose their appetite, thus lose weight. Others find that they crave fatty foods with lots of carbohydrates. If your weight has increased or decreased by 5 percent in one month, that is considered a significant weight change.

    Change in sleeping habits

    • According to the National Institute of Mental Health, insomnia, early-morning wakefulness and excessive sleeping are all symptoms of depression. Even if the depressed person is getting a reasonable amount of sleep, he often finds that he wakes up feeling tired. This exhaustion can last the entire day.

    Loss of interest in activities

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, depression may be evident when you no longer have interest in activities that you once found pleasurable. You may also find that you have no interest in doing your normal daily activities. You may find that you no longer have interest in making your bed, walking the dog or cleaning your house. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, a loss of interest in sex may also be a symptom of depression.

    Energy Loss

    • Loss of energy can affect your life in a very big way Loss of energy can cause you to avoid social interactions, which can result in lost time from work. This also makes it hard for you to engage in activities with family and friends. When your obligations are compromised, this can compound the effects of depression.

    Feelings of Worthlessness

    • Feelings of worthlessness are common among people who deal with depression. If you are suffering from depression, you may feel as though you are not good enough. Your self esteem may be extremely low and compliments may feel like lies. Believing anything good about yourself may feel impossible.

    Thoughts of death or suicide

    • Many people suffering from depression have thoughts of death or suicide. A person dealing with depression may feel as though there is no other way out of the pain. But depression can be managed. If you have having thoughts of suicide, contact a family member, friend or doctor immediately.

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