I am a female, 18 years old and I just want to know if my symptoms point to depression.

Question

Hello Friend, Good that you are seeking a help here. You didn't not mention your symptoms to identify the sign of depression. Generally lack of appetite, sleeplessness, lack of interest in pleasurable activities, sudden weight gain or loss, loneliness etc are symptoms of depression. Be positive. If such symptoms exists, then take a help of mental health professional like us to assess your suitation in detail to advise suitable solution. Be positive. You will be alright soon. Feel free to reach me online or through Lybrate chat for further assistance.

Senthilkumar L · Accepted Answer

Hello Friend, Good that you are seeking a help here. You didn't not mention your symptoms to identify the sign of depression. Generally lack of appetite, sleeplessness, lack of interest in pleasurable activities, sudden weight gain or loss, loneliness etc are symptoms of depression. Be positive. If such symptoms exists, then take a help of mental health professional like us to assess your suitation in detail to advise suitable solution. Be positive. You will be alright soon. Feel free to reach me online or through Lybrate chat for further assistance.

Saranya Devanathan · Answer

Dear Trina,
Please answer the following questionnaire to know whether you need to be screened for depression and other medical conditions causing depression.
Brief Patient Health Questionnaire (BPHQ)
Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems? 
Please mark as 0.Not at all 	1.Less than 7 days 	2.More than 7 days	3. Nearly every day 
a. Little interest or pleasure in doing things  
b. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless  
c. Trouble falling or staying asleep or sleeping too much  
d. Feeling tired or having little energy  
e. Poor appetite or overeating  
f. Feeling bad about yourself ? or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down   
g. Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television  
h. Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed. Or the opposite ? being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving around a lot more than usual  
i. Thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way.

Ankita Mishra · Answer

Dear mam Thank you for your query. Depression can manifest differently in people. However the cardinal features of depression are feeling low and sad most of the time, increased irritability, lack of interest in things that you liked doing before, isolating yourself, feeling hopeless and worthless, having thoughts of harming yourself, disturbed sleep and appetite. If you feel that you or someone you know is depressed, please see a psychiatrist for further assessment and Treatment. Depression can be very effectively treated by medication and psychological therapy. Hope this helps.