Untitled Document
|
| Free Bonus E-Book Website Gift |
| |
| |
 |
| |
 |
|
| |
| |
|
|
Symptoms Of Depression
|
|
| |
Depression varies from person to person, but there are some common signs and symptoms. It’s important to remember that these symptoms can be part of life’s normal lows. But the more symptoms you have, the stronger they are, and the longer they’ve lasted—the more likely it is that you’re dealing with depression. When these symptoms are overwhelming and disabling, that's when it's time to seek help.
Symptoms of depression:
Depression affects different people in different ways. Some people may present predominantly with physical symptoms such as backache, headache or stomach complaints that do not respond to treatment.
Others may complain mostly of disturbed sleep, loss of energy and appetite changes. Not everyone experiences all the symptoms of a depressive or manic episode. The severity of symptoms may also be different in different people.
These many different presentations can sometimes make it difficult to recognise and diagnose a depressive disorder. A sufferer may not seek medical help because they may not realise that they are suffering from depression and that it is a legitimate medical illness.
- The most commonly reported symptoms are as follows:
- a depressed or low mood or feeling of sadness;
- increased irritability;
- increased anxiety or a feeling of nervousness;
- loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were previously enjoyed;
- tearfulness or a feeling of wanting to cry but possibly an inability to do so;
- decreased sexual interest or other sexual problems;
- changes in appetite resulting in either weight gain or weight loss when not dieting;
- changes in sleep pattern with either difficulty falling asleep, frequent waking during the night or waking up unusually early in the morning and not being able to return to sleep. Sleep may also be increased with a desire to be asleep most of the time;
- a feeling of being chronically tired and energyless or amotivated;
- a slowing down or speeding up of physical activity (including speaking very softly or slowly);
- feeling worthless, useless and helpless;
- feeling inappropriately excessively guilty (and possibly blaming oneself for being depressed or unable to “snap out of it”) ;
- difficulty thinking, concentrating or remembering;
- difficulty making decisions, even over simple matters;
- a feeling that life is not worth living and frequently thinking about death and/or suicide;
- becoming increasingly socially withdrawn and feeling reluctant to entertain or go out visiting;
- not bothering to dress properly/self-neglect;
- multiple physical complaints e.g. frequent headaches; backaches/stomach aches or constipation;
- alteration in menstrual cycle;
Common signs and symptoms of depression
- Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. A bleak outlook—nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation.
- Loss of interest in daily activities. No interest in former hobbies, pastimes, social activities, or sex. You’ve lost your ability to feel joy and pleasure.
- Appetite or weight changes. Significant weight loss or weight gain—a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month.
- Sleep changes. Either insomnia, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping (also known as hypersomnia).
- Irritability or restlessness. Feeling agitated, restless, or on edge. Your tolerance level is low; everything and everyone gets on your nerves.
- Loss of energy. Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. Your whole body may feel heavy, and even small tasks are exhausting or take longer to complete.
- Self-loathing. Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. You harshly criticize yourself for perceived faults and mistakes.
- Concentration problems. Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.
- Unexplained aches and pains. An increase in physical complaints such as headaches, back pain, aching muscles, and stomach pain.
Depression and suicide
Depression is a major risk factor for suicide. The deep despair and hopelessness that goes along with depression can make suicide feel like the only way to escape the pain. Thoughts of death or suicide are a serious symptom of depression, so take any suicidal talk or behavior seriously. It's not just a warning sign that the person is thinking about suicide: it's a cry for help.
Warning signs of suicide include:
- Talking about killing or harming one’s self
- Expressing strong feelings of hopelessness or being trapped
- An unusual preoccupation with death or dying
- Acting recklessly, as if they have a death wish (e.g. speeding through red lights)
- Calling or visiting people to say goodbye
- Getting affairs in order (giving away prized possessions, tying up loose ends)
- Saying things like “Everyone would be better off without me” or “I want out.”
- A sudden switch from being extremely depressed to acting calm and happy.
If you think a friend or family member is considering suicide, express your concern and seek professional help immediately. Talking openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can save a life. |
|
Articles
- Life Coach - A life coach can approach this objective in a number of ways, depending on what works for you.
- Life Coaching - With professional life coaching you get the opportunity to rise above this, decide what is important to you in your life and make it a priority.
- Sales Techniques - As with many other abilities, good sales techniques are simply a set of skills – simple guidelines, if you will – that can be followed, but the best salespeople also have certain characteristics that help them in their job.
- Low Self Esteem - The problem is that if you suffer from a low self esteem, it can seem virtually impossible to change that outlook.
- Leadership Training - Effective leadership training focuses on the main characteristics an individual need to work on in order to become a respected and efficient leader.
- NLP - So what is NLP and what makes it so effective? This comprehensive programme can be compared to a toolbox of sorts – a toolbox that enhances your mental, emotional and physical skills by providing you with the tools and techniques you might require.
- NLP Training - To say that the NLP training will have such a profound impact on your life might sound very ambitious, but it is also completely true.
- Improving Self Confidence - If we don’t work on improving our self confidence, we are continuously depriving ourselves of soaring opportunities through which we can grow and improve.
- Anger Management
- Self Esteem
- Depression
- SCIO
MIND & BEHAVIOUR - ARTICLES
|
Share 
