Signs of Depression
Typically, you may encounter feelings of sadness and these feelings normally subside over time so your normal routine can ensue. However, in some circumstances these feelings of frustration and sadness persist longer than expected, and it may affect the activities of your everyday life.
The mental state of intense feelings, loneliness, and hopelessness that can affect normal day-to-day activities of a person is known as clinical depression. Depression does not only affect the individual; it can also affect those around them.
Symptoms of Depression
A depressed person will have any five symptoms from those given below:
- Depressed feeling throughout the day, especially in the morning
- Fatigue and lack of energy for a span of several days
- Guilty and worthless feelings that persist for many days
- Indecisiveness and lack of concentration, which affects normal activities
- Impaired sleeping — either sleeplessness or excessive sleeping
- Lack of interest in normal day-to-day activities
- Suicidal thoughts and tendencies
- Restlessness
- Unexpected weight loss or weight gain
An individual can be diagnosed with depression if he or she has any of the five symptoms mentioned above that persist for more than two weeks. People who are depressed usually lose interest in activities they once enjoyed most in life. Depression is not caused by substance abuse, and it is not caused by medical conditions, like hypothyroidism. If an individual loses a loved one, he or she will still not be considered depressed unless the strong emotional feelings persist for more than two weeks and affect the physical well-being of the person.
Some of the common symptoms of depression are:
- Lack of concentration and attention to detail
- Indecisiveness
- Feeling of worthlessness and guilt
- Hopelessness and self-hate
- Restlessness
- Lack of interest in activities
- Eating disorders
- Suicidal thoughts and tendencies
- Persistent pains and aches in different parts of the body
A number of factors are associated with the development of this condition, including genetic, environmental, psychological, and biochemical factors. There are different types of depression: major depression, chronic depression, bipolar depression, seasonal depression, psychotic depression and postpartum depression. Depression is associated with other conditions like anxiety, phobias, panic disorders, and eating disorders. Many people also feel physical symptoms including joint pain, back pain, difficulty sleeping, and changes in eating habits. Slow speech and slow movements are also affiliated with the physical changes that arise with depression. It is essential to identify and treat the underlying clinical depression to combat the physical symptoms.
