Depression Symptoms

Different people experience depression in different ways. Here’s a list of typical depression symptoms as well as some of the less common symptoms people might experience when depressed.

• Feeling sad, down, or blue most of the time

• Loss of interest in activities and hobbies you once enjoyed

• Difficulty concentrating, paying attention, and remembering

• Disrupted sleep (difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep, or sleeping too much)

• Change in eating habits (overeating or losing your appetite)

• Fatigue and loss of energy

• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness

• Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness

• Increased alcohol and drug use

• Irritability

• Low self-esteem

• Neglecting your personal care (such as personal hygiene)

• Physical symptoms that don’t respond to treatment (headaches, stomachaches, and chronic pain, for example)

• Reduced sex drive

• Thoughts of death or suicide

Less common symptoms of depression

• Being highly sensitive to rejection or criticism, while perking up briefly with positive events

• Eating too much (often craving foods that are rich in carbohydrates such as ice cream, chocolate, bread, cereal, and pasta)

• Feeling weighed down or heavy

• Sleeping too much

Depression Test: What It Can Tell You

Are you concerned that you or someone you love may be suffering from depression? The first thing you need to do is talk with your doctor or convince your loved one to do the same. In the meantime, there are some simple self-tests that you can complete on your own to see if you are likely to be suffering from depression.

Try the self-test below to find out whether you might need to seek help. Remember, whatever the results, if you’re feeling worthless, if your mood is interfering with your life, or if you feel like the world might be better off without you, it is imperative that you speak with a health care professional sooner rather than later.

Am I Depressed?

Do you feel sad, anxious, or “empty?”

Are you sleeping more or less than you used to?

Are you eating more or less than you used to?

Have you lost interest in activities you once enjoyed?

Do you feel restless or irritable?

Do you have persistent physical symptoms (such as a headache or stomachache) that don’t respond to treatment?

Do you have trouble remembering things, concentrating, or making decisions?

Are you tired or lacking in energy?

Do you feel guilty, hopeless, or worthless?

Do you have thoughts of suicide or death?

If you check off at least five items on this list and you’ve been experiencing these symptoms for at least two weeks, that’s a sign of depression.

The above is from a free guide published by University Health News

If you would like the entire 62 page report I will gladly email it to you. It is too long to post here.