Clinical Depression Symptoms

Clinical depression may be dismissed as a simple case of sadness, easily remedied by time and a little cheering up. In truth, it's a serious psychological condition that deeply affects the lives and well-being of those who suffer from it. Like any other condition, it doesn't simply "go away," but may persist and grow more severe if left untreated. The good news is that proper treatment produces an extremely optimistic prognosis. If you recognize the symptoms of clinical depression in yourself or someone close to you, speak to a trained therapist about treatment options.

Sadness

• The most prominent sign of depression is a lingering emotional sadness that persists for days or weeks with no readily apparent cause. It may be accompanied by feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness, which in turn translate into a lack of interest in day-to-day life. In the most extreme circumstances, it may result in thoughts of suicide.

Irritability

• Along with sadness, temper can be affected by clinical depression. A patient may become more irritable than normal. Little things may bother him much more than they used to and he may lash out at people around him in inappropriate ways. Such incidents may further contribute to his feelings of sadness or worthlessness.

Decision-Making

• The emotional turmoil of clinical depression can have an impact on the way the patient makes decisions. She may have problems focusing on the task at hand and concentration for extended periods of time becomes difficult. When making decisions, she may express a lack of preference or show other signs of difficulty, especially if the decision is a tough or important one.

Restlessness

• Insomnia is a common symptom of patients suffering from depression. Sleep comes slowly, if at all, and is often light and troubled. This can lead to a sense of fatigue or exhaustion, especially when coupled with the mental toll of grappling with negative emotions. Patients also may exhibit restlessness and an inability to keep still.

Physical Symptoms

• Physical signs of depression are less common than mental or emotion signs, but still cause their share of difficulties. Minor aches and pains may appear for no apparent reason: headaches, backaches or muscle pain. Libido is often affected and the patient may lose interest in a healthy sex life. Turbulent emotions affect appetite as well, resulting in weight gain or loss without any apparent effort. In some cases, physical appearance may be affected, as the patient puts less effort into clothes and grooming.