Depression is one of the more prevalent mental illnesses, affecting upwards of 8 million people each year. Unfortunately, this number is most likely higher, due to the fact that many sufferers go undiagnosed, either from misdiagnosis, or failure to seek help. While many people think of depression as a feeling of sadness, true clinical depression is described as persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness that, if left untreated, may cause serious impairment to a person’s behavior patterns, daily thoughts and even physical health.
Depression affects individuals in different ways. The symptoms can be varied, and are often influenced by genetics, background, family dynamics and even gender. An imbalance in brain chemicals, such as seratonin, can play an important role in depression, as can a major life event, such as divorce, or a death in the family.
While depression is a serious disorder, it is also a highly treatable condition. However, many symptoms of depression are often overlooked, or ignored, leaving those affected to suffer needlessly, living broken and unfulfilling lives. In order to properly diagnose major depression, it is important to keep an eye out for certain symptoms that may indicate the need for professional treatment. Below are some of the major depression symptoms that should never be ignored.
A Sad, or Depressed Mood
The main symptom of depression is just what the name suggests: sadness and a depressed mood. Depression can appear suddenly, or come on slowly, with a gradual worsening of symptoms. But the main characteristic of this sadness is that it is pervasive, or constant, and the person feels this way most of every day. Often, they do not know why they feel depressed, and they rarely feel happy, or content.
Lack of Interest in Normal Activities
Another of the major depression symptoms is a lack of interest in the majority of daily activities. In addition to feeling no interest in normal daily life, the depressed individual rarely derives any happiness from formerly pleasurable activities.
Feelings of Guilt, or Poor Self-Worth
A depressed individual will often suffer from feelings of guilt. Not just guilt over being sick, or feeling poorly, but instead, inappropriate guilt that spills over into feelings of worthlessness, and self-loathing.
Changes in Appetite and Insomnia
Depressed individuals often notice changes in their appetite. These changes vary, from losing all interest in food, to uncontrollable eating binges. Sleep patterns may also be affected. One person may tend to sleep all day, never getting out of bed, and another might suffer from persistent insomnia.
Thoughts of Death or Suicide
These are the major depression symptoms that absolutely must not be ignored. They include an obsession with death, or frequent thoughts about death or dying. These thoughts may escalate into plans to commit suicide, or a suicidal attempt. Often, the depressed person will bring up death, or suicide, in conversation. This is a red flag, and demands immediate intervention. Sadly, major depression sometimes ends in suicide.
We all feel sad from time to time, due to temporary circumstances, or life events. Most people get over this type of temporary sadness, and move on. However, when sadness turns into major depression, immediate treatment is indicated, and can restore the sufferer to normal mental functioning in a short time, in most cases. The first step is to recognize the major symptoms of depression, and seek the advice of a physician as soon as possible.
While depression is a serious disorder, it is also a highly treatable condition. However, many symptoms of depression are often overlooked, or ignored, leaving those affected to suffer needlessly, living broken and unfulfilling lives. In order to properly diagnose major depression, it is important to keep an eye out for certain symptoms that may indicate the need for professional treatment. Below are some of the major depression symptoms that should never be ignored.
A Sad, or Depressed Mood
The main symptom of depression is just what the name suggests: sadness and a depressed mood. Depression can appear suddenly, or come on slowly, with a gradual worsening of symptoms. But the main characteristic of this sadness is that it is pervasive, or constant, and the person feels this way most of every day. Often, they do not know why they feel depressed, and they rarely feel happy, or content.
Lack of Interest in Normal Activities
Another of the major depression symptoms is a lack of interest in the majority of daily activities. In addition to feeling no interest in normal daily life, the depressed individual rarely derives any happiness from formerly pleasurable activities.
Feelings of Guilt, or Poor Self-Worth
A depressed individual will often suffer from feelings of guilt. Not just guilt over being sick, or feeling poorly, but instead, inappropriate guilt that spills over into feelings of worthlessness, and self-loathing.
Changes in Appetite and Insomnia
Depressed individuals often notice changes in their appetite. These changes vary, from losing all interest in food, to uncontrollable eating binges. Sleep patterns may also be affected. One person may tend to sleep all day, never getting out of bed, and another might suffer from persistent insomnia.
Thoughts of Death or Suicide
These are the major depression symptoms that absolutely must not be ignored. They include an obsession with death, or frequent thoughts about death or dying. These thoughts may escalate into plans to commit suicide, or a suicidal attempt. Often, the depressed person will bring up death, or suicide, in conversation. This is a red flag, and demands immediate intervention. Sadly, major depression sometimes ends in suicide.
We all feel sad from time to time, due to temporary circumstances, or life events. Most people get over this type of temporary sadness, and move on. However, when sadness turns into major depression, immediate treatment is indicated, and can restore the sufferer to normal mental functioning in a short time, in most cases. The first step is to recognize the major symptoms of depression, and seek the advice of a physician as soon as possible.
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