Symptoms of Depression

Feeling low once in a while is quite normal, after all everybody has their rainy days. However, when the feeling of being down is perpetual and the feelings of emptiness and despair just don’t seem to go away, you could then be suffering from chronic depression. This in turn could most probably be hindering you from living a full life while the things that once interested you are just fading away into the background. Even meeting old friends and family - something which you really used to look forward to once – now seems more of a drag than anything else.

It is important for you to realize that this is not the way to lead a normal life. In fact there is so much more out there for you; there is so much happiness and good things you deserve. But the first thing you need to see is whether you can be diagnosed as a person with clinical depression as its quite common for all of us to have sad days. The signs of clinical depression are clear and if you find yourself relating to several of the symptoms which are going to be mentioned henceforth, make sure you seek out the help you need.

Among the foremost signs of a person who is clinically depressed is lack of sleep due to insomnia or the complete opposite of that, i.e. sleeping too much. A clinically depressed person also finds it hard to concentrate in general, while tasks which were pretty easy and taken for granted before now seem a burden and too difficult to accomplish. Similarly, such a person can’t help but feel helpless and hopeless, while also finding it impossible to think nothing but negative thoughts.

Alternatively, a clinically depressed person may lose his/her appetite, or again do the complete opposite, that is eat too much. Clinically depressed persons are also known to be short-tempered and more irritable than usual. In extreme cases, these symptoms might be accompanied by thoughts of how worthless life is and how it is not worth living anymore. Additionally, the feelings could also take the form of self-loathing and extreme guilt.

Keep in mind that depression is a main factor for suicides. And while most people who are suicidal don’t want to die, they just want the pain to stop. Hence, if you have been able to recognize any of the symptoms mentioned, make sure you get help for yourself. Just by talking about how you feel and unburdening yourself, you’ll soon see a change in your mood for the better. Depression can hit all ages and needs to be taken seriously. If you feel you’re depressed, or worse are having thoughts of death and suicide, remember that support groups are just a phone call away.