Depression can be a debilitating and life-altering disorder. This can affect not only the person who is depressed but all of their loved ones, their career, and everything that occurs in their life until they can find the right treatments.
There are numerous ways to treat depression and each method of treatment can vary pending on the person. But it is just as important to understand depression, what causes it, its symptoms, and how to help your loved ones that may be experiencing it.
What is Depression?
Depression is a disorder that is known as a major depressive disorder. It is classified as a mood disorder and can make someone feel extreme sadness at times or remain in a constant state of sadness. It also is associated with a loss of interest in life and daily activities. The professionals behind https://www.drmikebrooks.com say that someone who is depressed may interact less with their family and friends on a daily basis. It is important to recognize that all of us feel sadness at many times in our lives. This is a normal occurrence as life has many different challenges and hardships that arise. It is when the periods of sadness become intense periods of sadness that don’t dissipate is when life can take a turn. When experiencing extreme bouts of sadness or intense sad feelings for days, weeks, or months of your life, then you need to consult a therapist.
Symptoms of Depression
When trying to determine whether or not your symptoms are related to depression or if you are experiencing short-term periods of sadness, then it is important to know and understand the symptoms of depression for guidance. Listed here are things to look for if you think you have clinical depression:
-
Feeling Blue for Entire Days.
If you are feeling sad or extremely blue for entire days or even hours of every day, then you may be depressed. This can include waking up sad and having trouble snapping out of bad moods throughout the day.
-
Lack of Energy
If you are experiencing an extreme lack of energy or are tired throughout the day then you may be experiencing depression. If you find it hard to get out of bed and do even your normal daily activities or chores, then you may be experiencing depression.
-
Feeling Worthless
When you find yourself feeling incompetent or worthless on a daily basis, then you will want to seek help. This feeling, along with incessant feelings of guilt are also signs of depression.
-
Insomnia
If you are experiencing bouts of insomnia, then you may be experiencing a severe mood disorder. Likewise, if you are sleeping too much, then this is another sign that you may be depressed.
-
Thoughts of Suicide or Death
If you are experiencing frequent thoughts of dying or of suicide, then you may be depressed. If this is occurring, then you need to seek out help from a licensed therapist or professional health care provider immediately.
-
Extreme Weight Loss or Gain
If you’ve lost a lot of weight or gained a lot of weight, then both of these extreme weight fluctuations could be a part of a larger problem. These are both signs of depression.
-
Extreme Agitation or Restlessness
If you are feeling extremely uneasy and restless, then this can be due to an underlying mental disorder such as depression or even anxiety.
If you are experiencing five or more of any of the above symptoms for longer than a period of two weeks, then you could be suffering from depression. If you are experiencing these symptoms, then you will want to make an appointment with a licensed therapist right away so you can get the help that you need.
Other symptoms may include headaches, digestive problems, feeling empty, and losing overall pleasure in life. Physical ailments can also arise due to depressive episodes and can include anything from back pain to appetite changes. You may also feel lethargic or just want to sleep all throughout the day. Other physical ailments can include joint pain, slowed speech, slowed movements, and slurred speech.
Understanding these symptoms and the depths of depression is very important in order to get the right help that you or a loved one needs. If you or anyone you know are experiencing these symptoms for a period of two weeks or longer, then it is vital to seek out the right help in order to start getting the therapy that you need. Don’t hesitate to help yourself and find the methods that will get you back on track.
