Nobody knows you better than yourself. If you think you are suffering from depression, you should seek advice from a doctor.
You will be able to notice changes in yourself first. The following questionnaire may help assess your situation.
Symptoms to Recognise | Yes |
| Do you have low self-esteem or lack self confidence? | |
| Do you find yourself withdrawing from social activities? | |
| Do you often feel irritable or excessively angry? | |
| Do you have a poor appetite accompanied by weight loss, or increased appetite accompanied by weight gain? | |
| Do you suffer from insomnia or excessive sleep habits (hypersomnia)? | |
| Are you physically inactive? | |
| Are you hyperactive? | |
| Do you have little motivation? | |
| Have you lost interest in usual activities? | |
| Do you feel tired, with little energy? | |
| Do you wake up feeling tired? | |
| Are you suffering from constipation? | |
| Have you lost interest in sex? | |
| Do you feel worthless, have feelings of self reproach or inappropriate guilt? | |
| Do you have difficulty concentrating or reduced ability to think? | |
| Do you have recurrent thoughts of death or suicide? | |
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The more questions to which you have answered yes, the greater your potential risk of suffering from depression. If more than 4 of the above symptoms are present for longer than two months, you should consult your doctor who will be able to advise you.
Altered mood
It is likely that a person is suffering from depression when:
- their mood becomes morose and unhappy for a long period of time
- they lack motivation and do not care about themselves or their life
- they are uninterested in life and do not look after themselves properly
Noticing it in yourself and others
Depression can often creep up on a person. It may start as a mild down in the dumps feeling and can gradually become worse. Because of this, depression can remain undiagnosed for some time. It is important to talk to a sympathetic listener and see a doctor if you suspect that you or someone you know may be suffering from the condition.
Depression affects the whole person
Serious depressions are whole body disorders, affecting feelings, thoughts and behaviour.
Depression can disable. Depressive illnesses can involve a set of painful symptoms which can last for months or years. Symptoms can be so debilitating that they interfere with the ability to function. Some people who suffer severe forms of depression are unable to eat or get out of bed.
The very nature of a depressive illness can interfere with a person's desire to get help. Depression makes a person feel tired, worthless, helpless and hopeless. This is when it is vital for friends and family to help, to provide encouragement to get an accurate diagnosis and to seek treatment.
Some people need even more help; they become so depressed that they must be taken for treatment. At this point, it is vital that the sufferer receives support and contact from family and friends. It will help them through their illness and aid their recovery.
What are the main effects of depression on the body? - loss or gain in weight caused by an increase or decrease in appetite
- sleep problems including insomnia and hypersomnia
- general tiredness and lack of energy
- agitation and restlessness
- loss of sex drive
- forgetfulness and inability to concentrate
- physical aches and pains
- in severe cases, delusions and hallucinations
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03/06/2009