Symptoms of Depression
Depression - is it a disease or is it all in your head?
The problem with depression is that a lot of well meaning people don't treat is as a medical disease. They claim that depression is just all in your attitude to life and you just have to pull yourself out of it. Instead of helping, this sort of attitude only results in turning people with depression away and isolating them so that they are too afraid to seek treatment often trying to 'sort it out' themselves, sometimes with dire consequences as they sink deeper and deeper into the spiral of depression. The first step of healing for depression is acknowledgement. I know, I've been there. If you notice yourself or anyone around you who are exhibiting any of these symptoms of depression, seek help or ask them to seek help. It's NOT a failure on their part, depression is a recognized medical condition and it can be treated. Medical practioners will tell you that depression is the result of an imbalance of chemicals in your brain. It can be hereditary - ie if your mom had depression, then you are more likely to get it as well. Well known triggers to depression are hormonal changes in pregnancy, a traumatic event in your life eg divorce, some well known medical conditions like lupus.
Symptoms of depression #1
Do you have prolonged crying spells and feel sad all the time? This is a horrible feeling, it's like the whole of life's happiness is sucked out of your system and there's nothing left. Things that used to provide you with satisfaction and joy do not anymore and everyday seems like a series of sad events one after another.
Symptoms of depression #2
You lack energy and are persistently lethargic and just want to hide in bed or your room constantly. Getting out of bed every morning is a HUGE effort and you just feel like sleeping all day, not wanting to meet anyone, or do anything.
Symptoms of depression #3
You can't sleep and your appetite changes dramatically. You may feel so anxious that you can't sleep. Feelings of guilt riddle you constantly, you are constantly asking yourself, 'What's wrong with you? Just get up and start living!' but truth is, you can't bring yourself to.
Symptoms of depression #4
You harbour suicidal thoughts and death seems an almost welcome relief - the world is better off without me - type feeling.
Symptoms of depression #5
You experience unexplained aches and pains - despite how everyone says that it's all in your head, a lot of people with depression experience funny aches and pains. You may get heart palpitations.
Depression is a debilitating disease and it can suck the life out of you. If you experience any of the above symptoms and it persists for more than a fortnight, seek help. It's not a sign of personal weakness to acknowledge that you have depression. It's a sign of strength. So don't leave it and think that you need to struggle through it on your own. You will be surprised to find that there are more people that have this disease than you first thought. You don't have to suffer in silence, you are not alone. Seek help and you will feel so much better for it.
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symptoms of depression