Everyone has mood changes and occasionally feels blue or sad. For many people, these feelings are usually short-lived and pass within a few days. When you have depression, however, it is usually longer in duration and can interfere with your daily life at home, at work and elsewhere. Left untreated, depression often causes pain for both you and those who care about you.
Depression is a serious illness, but many people never seek treatment. That’s unfortunate because medications, psychotherapies, and other methods can effectively treat people with depression. Depressive symptoms vary person-by-person in terms of severity, frequency, and duration, but here are some common symptoms:
- Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings
- Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Irritability, restlessness
- Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
- Fatigue and decreased energy
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
- Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
- Overeating, or appetite loss
- Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
- Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment.
Depression is more common than you think. If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, please consider using CounselingDirectory.com to find a competent mental health professional who can help you.