Symptoms
Image by Rachel Ann on Mental Health Awareness and Support Facebook Group
Symptoms
Symptoms
To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.
To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.
If you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, you may be suffering from depression. This information is not supposed to provide a diagnosis – for that you need to see a doctor – but it can be used as a guide.
If you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, you may be suffering from depression. This information is not supposed to provide a diagnosis – for that you need to see a doctor – but it can be used as a guide.
Feelings
Feelings
Overwhelmed
Overwhelmed
Guilty
Guilty
Irritable
Irritable
Frustrated
Frustrated
Lacking in confidence
Lacking in confidence
Unhappy
Unhappy
Indecisive
Indecisive
Disappointed
Disappointed
Miserable
Miserable
Sad
Sad
Thoughts
Thoughts
“I’m a failure.”
“I’m a failure.”
“It’s my fault."
“It’s my fault."
“Nothing good ever happens to me.”
“Nothing good ever happens to me.”
“I’m worthless.”
“I’m worthless.”
“Life’s not worth living.”
“Life’s not worth living.”
"People would be better off without me."
"People would be better off without me."
Behavior
Behavior
Not going out anymore
Not going out anymore
Not getting things done at work/school
Not getting things done at work/school
Withdrawing from close family and friends
Withdrawing from close family and friends
Relying on alcohol and sedatives
Relying on alcohol and sedatives
Not doing usual enjoyable activities
Not doing usual enjoyable activities
Unable to concentrate
Unable to concentrate
Physical
Physical
Tired all the time
Tired all the time
Sick and run down
Sick and run down
Headaches and muscle pains
Headaches and muscle pains
Churning gut
Churning gut
Sleep problems
Sleep problems
Loss or change of appetite
Loss or change of appetite
Significant weight loss or gain (Beyond Blue, 2018)
Significant weight loss or gain (Beyond Blue, 2018)
Not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom. Some people experience only a few symptoms while others may experience many. Several persistent symptoms in addition to low mood are required for a diagnosis of major depression, but people with only a few – but distressing – symptoms may benefit from treatment of their “subsyndromal” depression. The severity and frequency of symptoms and how long they last will vary depending on the individual and his or her particular illness. Symptoms may also vary depending on the stage of the illness (National Institute of Mental Health. n.d.).
Not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom. Some people experience only a few symptoms while others may experience many. Several persistent symptoms in addition to low mood are required for a diagnosis of major depression, but people with only a few – but distressing – symptoms may benefit from treatment of their “subsyndromal” depression. The severity and frequency of symptoms and how long they last will vary depending on the individual and his or her particular illness. Symptoms may also vary depending on the stage of the illness (National Institute of Mental Health. n.d.).
In this video, Psychiatrist, Dr. Susan Samuels, explains what exactly is depression and its symptoms
In this video, Psychiatrist, Dr. Susan Samuels, explains what exactly is depression and its symptoms
