Blog entry by Violet Cobbett
Depression Symptoms
There are a variety of symptoms when you are depressed. These symptoms could include sadness and hopelessness. But they can also include physical symptoms of depression problems, like headaches or stomach pain.
If you have depression, you may benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy with a mental health professional) or medication. Sometimes, both are used in conjunction.
Feelings of sadness or hopelessness
Depression is often characterized by a feeling of sadness or despair. This is not the "blues," which everyone occasionally experiences, nor an occasional low-energy mood that can be the result of an event that is stressful in your life, such as the loss of a loved on or losing a job. Even when they're not in crisis, people with depression can feel depressed and sad.
Some people may no longer have fun with hobbies, social activities, or work. The inability to feel joy is called anhedonia. They don't believe that things will improve. These thoughts can cause people to think about suicide or self-harm. If this happens one of these, they should seek help immediately.
People with depression often blame themselves for their negative emotions, and they feel guilty about the things they've done or said. Brain fog is another sign of depression that causes people to have trouble remembering things.
It is essential to consult an expert doctor or mental health indicators of depression health specialist to receive an assessment for depression. The signs of depression in teens of depression are different for everyone. However, they are likely to occur almost every day for more than two weeks. The doctor will ask questions and conduct physical examination. The doctor will also go over a patient's medical history and background information about the family. A blood test can be ordered to rule out a medical cause of the symptoms, such as thyroid issues. Treatment for depression can include psychotherapy, medicine, or both. Depression is treatable, but it can take time to get better. If you have depression, it's crucial to follow your treatment program.
It is difficult to concentrate, or taking decisions
Depression-related feelings can affect your thinking and act. This can make it difficult to concentrate on the important things. You may also experience difficulty making decisions and finding the appropriate words to communicate your feelings. Depression can cause anxiety and can lead to feelings of helplessness or hopelessness. You can take steps to improve your situation.
It's normal to feel depressed at times, but to be diagnosed with clinical depression, you must have five or more of these symptoms every day for a period of two weeks. Your mental health professional will also have to rule out any other possible causes for these symptoms, such as an illness or substance use.
People who suffer from depression are more likely to experience difficulties in relationships as well as at school or at work. Depression can also cause many other physical and mental health issues, like headaches, stomachaches and back pain. It could increase your risk of suicide.
Depression is more prevalent in women than men, but anyone can get it. Certain people are at higher risk, such as those who have experienced devastating losses or traumatic incidents, those who have had strokes or heart attacks and those suffering from certain medical conditions, like Parkinson's disease, chronic illness and thyroid disorders. Certain studies suggest that brain changes, particularly in the frontal cortex, may contribute to depression.
Depression in teenagers is also a growing concern. Many factors can affect the mood of teens, such as friends, family, and culture changes. Teenagers can be depressed when they go to college. They are exposed to new cultures and experiences.
Sleeping too much or having difficulty sleeping
People with depression may struggle to sleep when their minds are active or anxious. For other people, the opposite happens: they sleep too much because they are tired. If the symptoms last longer than two weeks, it's important to seek help. Depression is treatable with psychotherapy or medication. The most effective treatment for depression is a combination of therapy and medication. Mood changes can happen at any age and backgrounds. It is more prevalent among those with an history of mental disorders or depression. Non-whites and communities with a high level of stress are also vulnerable. This includes African Americans, Hispanic/Latinos, American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Depression is a tangled disease that can be difficult to pinpoint the causes. Some types of depression can be caused by a chemical imbalance inside the brain. Certain types of depression are seen to run in families. Depression can be caused through a life-changing event such as a divorce or death. It can also be triggered by a physical issue, such as illness or injury.
Depression can also cause weight gain or loss. It can also make someone more stressed. Sometimes it can cause physical pain like back or joint discomfort, digestive issues and sleep problems. People with depression might also experience slower movements and speech. Depression can sometimes lead to thoughts or feelings of suicide. Contact a crisis hotline or suicide helpline as soon as you suspect that someone close to you may be contemplating suicide. It's important to stay with them and seek professional assistance, such as a spiritual leader or minister from their faith community.
Loss of interest or pleasure in a variety of activities.
Depression is a mental illness that affects your thoughts, feelings and actions. It creates a feeling of despair and sadness and makes it difficult to enjoy the things you once found enjoyable. It can also affect your appetite, sleep, and energy levels. You may feel angry or angry and may even have thoughts of suicide. Depression can strike at any time. It can be treated through psychotherapy or medication.
Depression can start after a difficult event in life, like the loss of a job, divorce or the death of a close relative. You can also suffer from depression without a reason. This is called situational depression. This is more common symptoms of depression among teens. The symptoms are usually temporary and get better with time.
People suffering from depression may have trouble concentrating or making decisions, or are in an uneasy mood throughout the day and nearly every day. They may lose interest or interest in many things, like social activities, hobbies and sex. They might sleep too much or not enough. They might feel guilty or worthless and have a negative outlook or feel that nothing will change. The depressive disorder symptoms can be felt all the time, for at least two full weeks.
The symptoms vary from one person to another and everyone experiences moments of sadness or "blues." To be diagnosed with depression that is clinical the symptoms should last for the majority of the day for more than two weeks and interfere with your relationships and daily activities. Depression can affect both genders differently and some men with depression do not seek help. They may not be aware of their symptoms as depression and instead blame their irritability on relationship or work issues or engage in risky behaviours like drinking excessively alcohol.
Think about suicide or the possibility of death.
Though only a small number of people who think of suicide actually do so, these thoughts are serious and should not be considered lightly. They can cause someone to act in ways that could result in harm or death, like driving recklessly or donating prized possessions. They could also plan for how they would end up dying or trying to commit suicide by preparing a weapon or arranging the best way to leave a note for loved family members.
These thoughts are typically linked to depression, however they can occur even without the diagnosis of depression. They are more prevalent in those who have a history or abuse, and also in those who don't have close relationships. Women are more likely to develop them than men and they can begin at any age.
Depression can be caused by a range of causes, including certain medications such as thyroid or adrenal gland problems or other diseases. But, depression can have no clear cause and can come on gradually over a period of weeks or months. Depression can make people feel sad, depressed and uninterested in the things that used to bring them joy. They may be unable to concentrate, have trouble sleeping or feel guilty or unimportant.
Depression can make people feel hopeless and isolated. They don't always know that there are people who are there to help them. This includes friends and family members, educators pastors, religious leaders, and pastors as well as community members. You can encourage a friend or relative who is contemplating suicide to seek help from a professional by staying with them. They can also call 911 or an emergency number for their local area and stay with them until assistance arrives.