Everybody gets sad every now and then. When life doesn’t go as planned or someone close to you dies, you may feel acute grief or just feel bummed out. Sometimes when you feel like this, you may say “I’m depressed,” even though that is not the case. Clinical depression (or major depression) takes normal feelings of sadness to a higher and more inhibitive level. Clinical depression not only affects your mood, but it can also affect your health and your ability to work. It is very important to know the signs and symptoms of clinical depression if you think you may be suffering from it.
Signs and symptoms of clinical depression may include, but are not limited to:
- Significant loss of appetite
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Overwhelming sadness and/or feelings of hopelessness
- Lack of energy and/or fatigue
- Anxiety/ anxiety attacks
- Loss of interest in social activities
- Fear of being alone
- Loss of interest in things you once enjoyed
- Loss of sexual drive
- Trouble thinking clearly
- Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep
- Sleeping more than usual
- Aches and pains with no apparent cause
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- Intrusive and/or disturbing thoughts
This is a comprehensive list of the more common signs and symptoms of clinical depression. However, you may have only some of these symptoms and/or some that are not listed here and still be suffering from clinical depression. It is important to know that these symptoms should last for at least two weeks and are easier to diagnose if they are not followed by a significant loss (i.e., loss of a loved one).
Alcohol and drug abuse may mask clinical depression because they can produce similar signs and symptoms. They may also exacerbate them. It is important to avoid abusing drugs and alcohol, especially if you are susceptible to depression. If you are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol and you are having symptoms of depression, you should seek help quitting as soon as possible. Your depression will be harder to treat if it is being made worse by substance abuse.
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms for two or more weeks or think that you may be suffering from clinical depression you should see a doctor immediately. If you think you may hurt yourself or someone else, you should also see a doctor immediately, regardless of whether or not it has been two weeks. There are several treatments for depression and you will want to get started on them as soon as possible.
*This article is not meant as a means to diagnose oneself with clinical depression.
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