Clinical Depression Symptoms – What to Look for
When most people think of depression they normally only think of the two most common symptoms; feeling blue or sad for an extended period of time or the condition known as anhedonia where someone fails to find pleasure in the things that normally bring them happiness. Unfortunately clinical depression symptoms are much more than those two things and for millions who suffer its effects the results can be devastating.
Clinical depression refers to any number of depressive disorders that affects people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, cultures, and religions. According to stats provided by the American Psychiatric Association more than 17 million men and women suffer from some form of clinical depression in the United States each year.
The down periods that most people experience through out life are much different then the depressed moods experienced by those who suffer from depression. Everyone will feel the “blues” after a traumatic event such as the end of a relationship or death of a family member or friend. The feelings soon go away and they move on with their life where as someone battling depression will be unable to snap out of their depressed mood.
Clinical depression symptoms are many and varied, but if you or someone you know suffers from one or any combination of the following signs it is best to seek the help of a licensed mental health professional.
1. Sleep Disturbances â Chronic insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleep) and not entering REM sleep are two signs of depression.
2. Chronic fatigue and no energy to take part in formerly normal activities can be a warning sign.
3. Weight loss or gain resulting from changes in eating habits.
4. Physical symptoms such as headache, digestive problems, and back pain for which there is no diagnosable illness.
5. Withdrawal from social functions, work, and obligations as well as losing interest in hobbies and other activities that were enjoyable.
6. Decision making becomes suspect along with an inability to concentrate and loss of memory.
7. Lack of concern with personal grooming and responsibilities.
8. Continued feelings of sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, and guilt accompanied by episodes of crying and weeping.
9. Short tempered irritability and other behavioral changes.
10. Thoughts of death and suicide are common and the feeling that living is no longer worth doing.
To make a diagnosis that a person is depressed a combination of these symptoms of clinical depression must be in evidence for two or more weeks. Anyone who suffers from these symptoms needs to receive treatment from a licensed mental health care professional. Clinical depression is treatable, usually most successfully, with a combination of therapy and medication.
Andrew Bicknell
http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/clinical-depression-symptoms-what-to-look-for-744874.html
October 19th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Do I display symptoms of clinical depression?
For as long as I can remember, probably about 8 months now, I’ve been having a major feeling of worthlessness about myself. I’ve been having major swings in sleep cycles and appetite. I’ve been procrastinating at about everything, and can’t find any ounce of happiness in things I thought I enjoyed. Also, for some reason, I’ve been having weird thoughts about death and suicide, and I’ve been venting some of my rage towards others by cutting myself. Sometimes, I cut myself to control my sense of nervousness too. Whenever I do something and can’t do it right, I’ll become very irritable and annoyed. My thinking has slowed down drastically and I have to think for long periods of time to find the exact words I’m looking for before saying something. I’ve started having irrational fears of ghosts, psychopaths etc. The other day, my friend said i had a big nose and I was so depressed that I almost ended up crying. I’ve been called a mean bitch, a moron, ugly and other hurtful insults and I started believing them despite all of my close friends saying that i am a nice guy etc. I don’t know why I feel so down and depressed and hopeless and meaningless and pessimistic about EVERYTHING. I’m only 14, is this normal for someone my age? I’ve been talking to my school counselor but it doesn’t seem to be helping much. Should I seek professional help? My mom thinks I’m a happy person, and I don’t want her to worry about me. What should I do?
October 20th, 2009 at 12:49 am
sounds like it. see your doctor.
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October 20th, 2009 at 12:51 am
hey man. cool down
go out and hang with your closest friends
dont care about what other people say
i know it sucks to be an outcast but
im sure you can get over this
YOU CAN DO IT
im sure you have friends of some kind
do stuff with them
and if they are busy get more friends
and no matter what DONT CUT YOURSELF
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October 20th, 2009 at 12:53 am
Considering the fact that you are only fourteen years old it may be due to the way the hormones in your brain are developing. Its all a part of growing up, so it just might be a phase, but if its something that’s really bothering you and you feel like you really cant deal with it on your own you should seek help.
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October 20th, 2009 at 12:55 am
How will your mother feel if you don’t tell her and this builds up into something worse that gets you seriously ill or killed? Yes, it sounds like you are suffering from some clinical depression, or perhaps even something worse. Only a doctor can tell. I strongly urge you to either discuss this with your mother, who will be happier to see you get help than to find out you are suffering and not asking her for help, or if you do not want to talk to her yourself, ask the counselor to help you. That is what they get paid for!
You deserve better than this, but you will not get what you need without getting some help. Good luck!
p.s. Elo, it is nice of you to be so supportive, but there is nothing normal about cutting and feeling hopeless for eight months. No one should have to go through this kind of crap, but it doesn’t just go away. You have to do something about it, and that means visiting a doctor.
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October 20th, 2009 at 12:57 am
umm…explain to me why they think your a nice happy person? lol
ya you’ve got it alright you can either see a doctor or…bravely try to solve it yourself
ive been trying to solve mine myself cuz ive got a big ego…a year later and i still havent thrown in the towl….
just remember that your not alone!…let me say that again cuz its hard for me to understand as well….
YOUR NOT ALONE!
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October 20th, 2009 at 12:59 am
All you have said her are symptoms of depression. I’ll list them for you:
Low mood
Sleep disturbances
Loss of interest in activities (called anhedonia)
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness
Change in energy levels
Problems with memory and concentration
Changes in appetite (up or down)
Psychomotor agitation or retardation (decrease/increase of movements or thoughts)
Suicidal thoughts
It could be more than depression though, you need to go see a psychiatrist that can properly go through what your feeling, your thoughts and your past history.
They can provide you with everything you need to get better also, maybe you should go speak to your mother also, it may seem embarrassing but she’ll be able to help and in the long run keeping these types of feelings inside will only lead to more problems.
Hope this helps
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Med student, just finished Mental health rotation
October 20th, 2009 at 1:01 am
GET HELP! Depression is very serious. Believe me. As someone who has been there and tried to commit suicide twice and now as a parent with a 13year old with depression. Depression is nothing to be ashamed of, sometimes admitting that you need help is such a relief that you start recovering as soon as you speak the words. I was afraid of telling my family when I was younger. I didn’t want anyone to worry about me and in some ways didn’t feel like I was worth worrying about. I thought no-one will really be too upset if I am gone,,,blah, blah, blah. You know all of this..However, my mother did care and I hurt her very badly by trying to commit suicide. She felt like a bad mother because I didn’t come to her for help. As a mother myself, I now understand this. My son (as I said has depression) talked about how he didn’t feel like he fit in anywhere. I was able to understand what he meant and got him help right away. We both take a daily medication and got see a professional on a regular basis. We are living happy productive lives. Talk to your mother, she loves you and wants you to be truly happy. She would be devastated to know you were struggling and she didn’t know so she could do something to help.
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October 20th, 2009 at 1:03 am
It’s not normal for a 14 years old (or any age) to feel depressed for such a long period, however it is quite common for teenagers to experience these feelings. It does not mean that it’s something you have to go through or wait until puberty is over for it to go away, because sometimes puberty triggers mental diseases that continue to go on with adulthood.
From your describtion, it sounds very much so like a major depression. Ignore those who tell you that it’s normal, because - again - it’s common, but not normal or healthy.
Often family members/close friends are the last to expect or know it when a depressed person commits suicide. Only YOU know how you feel, don’t let them tell you how you’re feeling!
Either your mother is in denial, very distant from you or that you’re very good in hiding your cuts and depression signs. Parents tend to be skeptical about teenagers emotional health.
I think you should seek professional help. Speak to your GP in private if possible and he or she will be able to put you in touch with the right person to help you get out of this dark place.
My best friend’s parents thought that her moodiness were just hormones, she asked to be taken to a psychiatric, but her mother thought that she didn’t need it and that reading or praying might help her stay busy and somehow banish those feelings. The next thing we knew, she ranaway. She was only 15 and it’s been well over 10 years now, and nobody heard a word from or about her.
The point of this is, nobody took her seriously or appreciated how low she felt and she ended up leaving. Sometimes I wonder if she killed herself.
Some GP’s and counselors are unsupportive and are completley unhelpful, so don’t let one dysfunctional counselor put you off from counseling all together.
Keeping a diary, keeping busy with hobbies or a club can be helpful too.
if you must cut at least be careful when you cut yourself, always use clean and sterilized blades.
Finaly, if you’re in the UK you can e-mail, write or telephone the SAMARITANS, everything you tell them is private and they won’t tell or call your parents nor will they judge you. 24/7 they’re there for you:
http://www.samaritans.org/?gclid=CMue6Y2Z_JgCFYM_3godcjiumQ
Best wishes.
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October 20th, 2009 at 1:05 am
Asking for help is a sign that you are ready to move forward and become a stronger person. Depression is serious and you do sound like you are depressed. How do you think your mum can help you if she doesn’t know whats going on? Maybe the time has come for you to talk to her.
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