Depression Treatment: Uncovering The Symptoms of Depression
Posted on | October 2, 2009 | No Comments
All of us feel down and discouraged from time to time.
The stress of coping with the difficulties and setbacks we all face in life can be discouraging. But how do we know if we, or someone that we know, have moved beyond mere discouragement toward clinical depression?
There are some keys signs and symptoms of depression that will help us determine where we are emotionally and if we need depression treatment.
Symptoms of Clinical Depression
The symptoms of depression are fairly standardized and include:
- Fatigue and decreased energy
- Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, loneliness, and helplessness
- Insomnia (difficulty sleeping), early morning awakening
- Excessive sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering details
- Irritability
- Severe changes in appetite- overeating or loss of appetite
- Persistent feelings of sadness, and emptiness
- Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
- Thoughts of harming yourself or suicidal thoughts
Diagnosing Clinical Depression
Merely having some of the symptoms of major depression for a brief period of time is not enough to warrant a clinical diagnosis of major depression. These symptoms experienced over a prolonged period of time and which interfere with leading a normal, active life are reliable indicators that a person may be clinically depressed and in need of depression treatment.
Researchers vary in their estimations of the commonality of major depression with some studies relating that 30 % (or 1 in 3) Americans will experience major depression while other studies put the depression rates somewhere around 50 % of the US adult population.
If you or someone you know does exhibit these symptoms over a long periods of time- it is time to get some help.
Diagnosing clinical depression is best left to medical and mental health professionals- but all of us should know (from a layman’s perspective) the signs and symptoms of depression. This is especially important when someone is feeling suicidal. Research reflects that approximately 1 in 10 people who are clinically depressed go on to commit suicide (this is a conservative estimate).
If you or someone you know is suicidal do not hesitate to call 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-273-TALK. Getting people who are suffering from major depression the help they need is of paramount importance.
The good news is- help is available.
Get Depression Treatment Early
Because one of the key complications stemming from depression is a lack of motivation, sometimes a depressed person needs someone to reach out with compassion and help that person get in touch with the right people- this may be a family physician, a psychiatrist, or a mental health professional.
These professionals have specialized training in diagnosing and treating not only the symptoms of depression but its underlying causes. Often certain medications can be prescribed to stabilize one’s mood while the person participates in therapeutic counseling to deal with the root issues that provoked the depressive episode in the first place.
If the symptoms of depression are negatively impacting your life, your relationships, your work or your family- then seek help at once.
Treating depression early can prevent things from getting worse.
Remember, feeling depressed does not mean you have a major depressive disorder. However, if you can’t pull yourself out of your symptoms don’t suffer in silence, talk to your physician or a mental health provider and get the help you need to enjoy an active, normal life.
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Tags: bipolar disorder symptoms > bipolar symptoms > clinical depression > depressed > depression medication > depression symptoms > depression test > depression treatment > signs of depression
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