Are you depressed??

Are you depressed??

Depression is not something you feel for a day or two before feeling better. In true depressive illnesses, the symptoms last weeks, months, or sometimes years if you don't seek treatment. If you are depressed, you are often unable to perform daily activities. You may not care enough to get out of bed or get dressed, much less work.

Signs and symptoms of depression may include the following

1.       Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness: Lowered self-esteem (or self-worth) A bleak outlook—nothing will ever get better and there's nothing you can do to improve your situation.

2.       Loss of interest in daily activities. No interest in former hobbies, pastimes, social activities, or sex. You've lost your ability to feel joy and pleasure.

3.       Appetite or weight changes. Significant weight loss or weight gain—a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month.

4.       Sleep changes. Either insomnia, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping (also known as hypersomnia).

5.       Anger or irritability. Feeling agitated, restless, or even violent. Your tolerance level is low, your temper short, and everything and everyone gets on your nerves.

6.       Loss of energy. Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. Your whole body may feel heavy, and even small tasks are exhausting or take longer to complete.

7.       Self-loathing. Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. You harshly criticize yourself for perceived faults and mistakes. Also varying emotions throughout the day, for example, feeling worse in the morning and better as the day progresses . 

8.       Reckless behavior. You engage in escapist behavior such as substance abuse, compulsive gambling, reckless driving, or dangerous sports.

9.       Concentration problems. Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things, some people are so impaired that they think that they are going demented.

10.    Unexplained aches and pains. An increase in physical complaints such as headaches, back pain, aching muscles, and stomach pain.

11.    Changed sex drive: absent or reduced  .