We all feel sad or may go through a bad mood. Sadness is a vigorous sentiment to feel when faced with a difficult situation that we deal with, and recover without treatment. But when the blues don’t set off, you might speculate if you are actually depressed. Depression can be devastating and require additional support.
Depression is diagnosed when a person experiences five or more specific symptoms for more than two weeks and affects a person’s ability to work, carry out usual daily activities and have satisfying personal relationships. Where sadness is just one symptom of depression other symptoms include loss of pleasure in activities that were previously enjoyable, changes in appetite that cause weight loss or gain, sleep difficulties or sleeping too much, feeling drained all the time, having difficulty concentrating and making decisions, and feeling angry and irritable. People with depression might also have feelings of worthlessness or guilt, unexplained physical pain like headaches or backaches, and frequent thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
Not everyone experiences depression in the same way.
Women suffering from depression often report feeling sad, while men with depression may be more likely to be irritable and aggressive. Depression in children can include clinginess, worry, and a desire to stay home from school. Teens may get angry, engage in self-harm, and withdraw socially. Older adults may experience memory problems and personality changes.
Common symptoms across all groups include physiological sign like chronic pain and digestive issues that may not respond to treatment. Whereas, common suicide warning signs include feeling worthless, a lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities, withdrawal, reckless behaviors, giving away possessions, talking about death, and searching for ways to die by suicide, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Suicidal people can sometimes appear to be feeling better just before they take their lives.
Although it shouldn’t replace a doctor’s visit, you can also do a test online to help determine if what you’re feeling and experiencing is truly depression. If you or anyone significant has any of these signs, don’t give up, there is help out there that works.