Depression Learning

Signs Of Depression

If you feel as if you have lost interest in life, or feel sad and listless for more than a few weeks, you could be showing signs of depression. Clinical depression occurs when these feelings start to affect your usual routine.

Some studies suggest about 16 per cent of the population will suffer from depression at sometime in their lives. Depression can affect anyone of any age or sex. Women are about four times more likely than men to become depressed. Male depression can often come across as anger and hostility. Child and teen depression often shows up as disruptive behavior or a loss of interest in school or favorite pass times.

Some people may mistake the signs of depression in elderly people as the normal aging process. Seniors may be going through a number of changes in their lives, such as the loss of a life long partner, or illness. Sometimes seniors are lonely, and embarrassed to talk about how they feel.

New mothers can suffer the effects of post partum depression. This usually occurs within the first year of giving birth. Post partum depression makes it difficult for the new mom to bond with her baby. Almost every new mom experiences the blues shortly after delivery, but this feeling goes away within a few days. Post partum depression is more severe and lasting.

Signs of depression may start to appear in people who have recently experienced a trauma. The physical weakness and stress that accompany a serious illness such as heart disease or major injury can trigger depression. The stress of depression can make recovering more challenging.

If you have recently gone through some changes in your life, you may be more prone to depression. Someone who is newly divorced or unemployed can be susceptible. Even changing jobs, retiring or moving to a new community can start the cycle of negative feelings.

The signs of depression can vary from person to person. You may feel like sleeping all the time, or you may have trouble sleeping. You may feel exhausted and drained for no reason. Your eating habits can also change. Perhaps you’re hungry all the time, or maybe you have no appetite.

If you are depressed, you may also feel stress and anxiety. You could be easily irritated or restless. You may feel guilt and embarrassment. Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities and hobbies could be a sign of depression. Your ability to reason and think clearly might deteriorate. You could even feel hopeless and worthless.

Sometimes depression can show up as physical pain. People with depression may feel weakness, joint pain, abdominal cramps, or headaches. Sometimes depression can be present along with other mood disorders such as social phobias or obsessive compulsiveness. You may start to depend on drugs or alcohol to make you feel better.

Your doctor or another health professional can help determine if you are showing signs of depression. People with depression sometimes think they will never feel better. They may even consider hurting or killing themselves. But there is treatment, and you can start to feel better.

Take the first step and talk to someone about how you feel. A friend or family member can help. Or call your doctor, hospital, or local crisis line. You can recover from depression.

Related Depression Posts

• What is Depression?
• Common Depression Symptoms
• Depression and the Elderly
• Top 15 Post-Partum Symptoms
• Medication & Drugs
• Child Depression Overview
• Teen Depression Overview