I don't know if I have depression really. I took few online test though which says I do have depression. Is there any way for me to know if I am really depressed.
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Symptoms of depression include: ?Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood ?Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism ?Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness ?Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex ?Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down" ?Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions ?Trouble sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping ?Appetite and/or weight change ?Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts ?Restlessness, irritability ?Persistent physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain, which do not respond to routine treatment Depression facts ?A depressive disorder is a mood disorder that is characterized by a sad, blue mood that goes above and beyond normal sadness or grief. ?A depressive disorder is a syndrome, meaning a group of symptoms. ?Depressive disorders are feature not only negative thoughts, moods, and behaviors but also specific changes in bodily functions (like, eating, sleeping, energy and sexual activity). ?One in 10 people will have a depression in their lifetime. ?Because depression can lead to self-harm including suicide, it is important to note that one of every 25 suicide attempts results in death. ?Some types of depression, especially bipolar depression, run in families. ?While there are many social, psychological, and environmental risk factors for developing depression, some are particularly prevalent in one gender or the other, or in particular age or ethnic groups. ?There can be some differences in symptoms of depression depending on age, gender, and ethnicity. ?Depression is only diagnosed clinically in that there is no laboratory test or X-ray for depression. It is therefore crucial to see a health professional as soon as you notice symptoms of depression in yourself, your friends, or family. ?The first step in getting appropriate treatment is a complete physical and psychological evaluation to determine whether the person, in fact, has a depressive disorder. ?Depression is not a weakness but a serious illness with biological, psychological, and social aspects to its cause, symptoms, and treatment. A person cannot will it away. Untreated or undertreated, it can worsen or return. ?There are many safe and effective medications, particularly the SSRIs, that can be of great help in the treatment of depression. Treatment- A variety of treatments, including medications and short-term psychotherapies (i.e. "talking" therapies), have proven effective for depressive disorders: more than 80 percent of people with a depressive illness improve with appropriate treatment. Not only can treatment lessen the severity of depression, but it may also reduce the duration of the episode and may help prevent additional bouts of depression. If you are happy with these answers please click on "useful? link so that I can know my efforts are not wasted. If you want more clarifications please ask me directly and not in open questions session.
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The word depressed is a common everyday word. People might say" i'm depressed" when in fact they mean" i'm fed up because i've had a row, or failed an exam, or lost my job" etc. These ups and downs of life are common and normal. Most people recover quite quickly. With true depression, you have a low mood and other symptoms each day for at least two weeks The common symptoms are (few might be present in a person with depression) Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort Changes in appetite — often reduced appetite and weight loss, but increased cravings for food and weight gain in some people Anxiety, agitation or restlessness Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or blaming yourself for things that aren't your responsibility Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches consult a psychiatrist and get evaluated.
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