Could You Be Depressed?

You know something is wrong but you can't quite put your finger on it. You just do not seem to have as much as used to have and everything that you used to enjoy seems dull. You seem to not smile as much and maybe you have even noticed that you cry more easily. Even your food does not seem to taste as good as it used to and you notice that your clothes fit more loosely now. Even though you know that you should not, you have been isolating yourself from others, not going out or talking on the phone as much. What on earth is going on? It is possible that you are suffering from depression. Also referred to by doctors and therapists as a Major Depressive Episode, depression can occur when it is least expected. Its onset can be fast or gradual and depression can occur in those with no known predisposition. However, the usual course of depression is gradual and it is much more likely to occur in someone who has a history of depression in themselves or their family. What exactly is depression?



Depression is clinically described by psychiatrists in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual, 4th Edition Revised (DSM IV-TR) as either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure for at least two weeks along with several other symptoms. The other commons symptoms and signs are:
-significant weight loss or weight gain due to markedly increased or decreased appetite
-insomnia or sleeping too much nearly every day
-moving unusually slowly or quickly for no apparent reason
-fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
-problems concentrating or focusing
-recurrent thoughts of death including suicidal thoughts or attempts.