Distinctive Identifying Symptoms of Diagnosed Depression
Author: Zulaekha Windah
Clinical depression symptoms go beyond feeling a little under the weather. They are often deeper and typically chronically sustained over a long period of time. And though this debilitating disease affects between 19 and 20 million Americans every year, it often goes undiagnosed.
Unfortunately, less than half of the people suffering from clinical depression will actively seek treatment. They mistake the symptoms associated with this debilitating affliction as a normal course of life, believing they can deal with it alone. However, left untreated, this affliction can negatively impact a person’s personal life, work life and general ability to function.
Then, if identifying the clinical depression symptoms is so critical, how do you do it? To find out, read on.
Chronically Feeling Sad or Down
A consistent and unrelenting feeling of sadness or anxiousness can often be a sign of the disease. Most doctors won’t diagnose the disease, though, until the symptom has persisted over a period of several weeks.
Change in Body Patterns
When a person begins to suffer from clinical depression, they will often notice a pronounced change in sleeping habits – like being unable to sleep through the night or sleeping excessively and feeling unable to get out of bed. Other changes include a change in eating habits, whether it’s binging or a dramatic drop in appetite.
Since an increase or decrease in appetite or a change in sleeping patterns can affect the body physically, these symptoms can even become contributing causes.
Reduced Interest in Sex
Often patients diagnosed with the disease complain of a significantly reduced interest in sex. This lack of interest can also extend to other pleasurable activities
Irritability and Anger
As patients attempt to deal with their depression symptoms, they can often become restless, irritable and even aggressive.
Mysterious Physical Ailments
Mysterious physical ailments are common among people diagnosed with the problem. The depression exhibits itself as a slew of aches and pains such as digestion problems, ulcers or headaches.
Trouble Focusing and Remembering
An inability to focus on tasks at school or work along with marked short-term memory loss can be an indicating symptom. This symptom can often frustrate and aggravate the patient, therefore worsening the effects of the depression.
Feelings of Guilt or Severe Depression
People living with or suffering from clinical depression may experience extreme feelings of guilt or worthlessness – such as being no good and everyone knows it. Because of this, thoughts of suicide and death are not unusual.
It’s important to remember that many of the clinical depression symptoms aren’t your typical everyday reactions to stress. Depression is a medical illness that can and should be effectively treated. If you are experiencing any or all the above symptoms over an extended period of time, you should consult with your doctor.