symptoms of depression

Read and learn more about symptoms of depression. For more, visit the Depression website DepressionLearning.com

Q: How can you make depression symptoms better at home?
What if you have depression but don’t need to see a doctor yet. How can you improve your light depression symptoms at home? Don’t say some type of pill, because I would want to go through a doctor before I take any kind of supliment.

A: You should probably see a doctor before your depression gets severe. I’ve been getting worse for the past 2 years and I wish I would have gotten help in the beginning. But what I do is just try to write music. Exercising is also good. Really the most important thing is to find a lot of hobbies you enjoy doing to keep your self-esteem high. And make sure you get out of the house often or you will get pretty depressed.

Q: How can I get rid of depression symptoms while waiting for the medicine to take effect?
My insurance does not cover the cost of counseling, so how can I get rid of the depression symptoms or diminish them when I am too tire to exercise? There is one person that I talk to on the phone every week who is the only person I found can make me feel better, but talking to her only once a week does not seem to be enough, and she is not a counselor, or doctor of any kind.

A: Make sure you get enough sleep, exercise and eat a well balanced diet.

Maybe try writing in a journal to help you vent and be able to reflect back.

Check local hospitals sometimes they offer group sessions for free or reduced cost.

Try to find a hobby that can make you happy.

Q: How long for Prozac to fully relieve depression symptoms?
I’ve been on Prozac for 3 weeks and I’m noticing a relaxed feeling along with normal feelings returning, but the feelings of depression, how long does that take to go away?

A: Antidepressants can generally take up to one month to feel the full effect.

Q: How can I avoid depression symptoms?
I know that depression is a disease that never really goes away. i can tell that I’m getting symptoms of depression again…I want to sleep, I’m sad about everything, my mind goes to the sad part of my life automatically, I either overeat or don’t eat at all. I need to know how to avoid the symptoms since I can’t cure the disease. Help! I’m desperate.

A: I have suffered from depression since I was 13 years old and I am now 21 and my life is getting better but when I do start feeling more depressed, like wanting to sleep more, crying, irritability, sadness or even when I get suicidal thoughts, I know that I need time for myself. I do something that I enjoy. I read a book or a magazine. Going for walks helps me a lot, it is just nice to go out for fresh air and it feels good. Or I go to the movies or I rent a movie and eat chips and enjoy the movie. Try and find something that you enjoy. I love taking a hot bath, it’s relaxing. Find what makes you happy and it’ll help. Good luck

Q: What are the symptoms of depression and when should drugs be used for treatment?
Like symptoms other than the obvious ones like feeling down.

When does someone get the point where help from medication is needed. I know someone who is suffering from a form of depression but is worried that the antidepression tablets will have worse side effects. Its hard to know if its severe depression or even depression at all.

A: According to the diagnostic and statistical manual IV, “Major depression” is classified as at least 5 out of the 9 symptoms, one of which must be:

1/ Feeling depressed/down
or
2/ Feeling like nothing interests you anymore – even things that you used to like doing

for most of the day, for most days of the week

The other 7 symptoms are:
Fatigue
Poor attention
Change in appetite/weight
Sleep changes (sleeping more or sleeping less with or without early morning wakening)
Everything slows down (the person moves slower, speaks slower, etc.)
Feeling excessively guilty / at fault / worthless
Suicidal thoughts/thoughts that life isn’t worth living

Yes it is true that there are side effects to the medications, but if the person is quite depressed that it’s affecting their life substantially, medications might be needed – if only to help them pick themselves up again.

This is especially the case if suicidal thoughts are involved as their safety is of significant importance.

However, one thing you need to keep in mind is that these medications take a long time to work.. at least 6 weeks for them to start to feel better. They may even feel worse after a week or 2. They also need to continue the medications for 12 months for it to be effective.

Counseling might be an option initially if the person you’re talking about is wary about taking drugs and worried about their side effects, but if there is any indication of suicidal ideation, it could be quite serious and counseling might not be enough. All the best!

Q: What are the symptoms of depression and borderline personality disorder?
Could u tell me what the symptoms of depression and/or bpd?

A: Bpd tends to be extremes of behavior. This may include such problems as ocd and the obvious behaviour is self harm of some kind. This is normally long term self harm, over eating, under nourishment (anorexia), not caring for yourself in some way. This may be looking after your physical health resulting in illness that is extreme of that condition. There are many ways to self harm, not just the obvious, cutting, burning or overdose’s . People with bpd tend to see things in black and white, no grey areas. Extemes. Depression is linked as that some peop;e with depression have it recurring persistantly through out their lives. When deep depression doe’s not lift or reoccurres time and time again, bpd may be diagnosed. I could go on, but it is best you look personality disorders up on line. This will give you the information you need.

Q: What are the symptoms of depression?What is the difference between depression and suicidal depression?
I want to know if i feel depressed please tell me the symptoms of suicidal depression and depression
I HAVE DEPRESSION BECAUSE I HAVE THESE SYMPTOMS THAT YOU SAY ARE DEPRESSION…WHAT ARE TREATMENT OPTIONS THAT I HAVE?

A: Depression:
“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.”
There are more symptoms. “Suicidal” depression? No such term, but you have a depressed person who just gives up and wants to die. That’s suicidal. Anyone can be depressed and/or suicidal. It can be situational (maybe the death of a loved one–and you are so upset you want to die too–that usually passes) or it can be organic (a chemical imbalance in the brain).

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/depressionmenu.cfm

Q: What are the causes and symptoms of depression?
I don’t have thoughts of suicide but I, and those around me, have noticed a change in my behavior. Lately I have been feeling nauseous, tired, agitated, and I have also been very reclusive and sad. I’ve had a lot of trouble getting up in the mornings, which is very odd for me. Also, I’ve haven’t been able to concentrate very well. None of these things are common with me so I was wondering what it was. I heard that some of these things are symptoms of depression. I also wanted to know what causes depression. Any and all suggestions and or comments are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

A: Symptoms of Major Depression

Sleep disturbance (insomnia), sleeping too much
Crying
“Empty” feeling
Loss of interest in usually enjoyable activities
Difficulty in thinking clearly
Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
Loss of concentration
Lowered self-esteem
Not as talkative as usual
Excessive fatigue
Prolonged sadness
Loss of appetite
Socially withdrawn
Persistent permission
Significant weight loss
Irritability
Persistent thoughts of death of suicide
Attempted suicide

Q: What are the first and most common symptoms of depression?
Someone close to me has been feeling down for a while, anyone know what the 1st and most common symptoms of depression are usually?

A: You feel miserable and sad.
You feel exhausted a lot of the time with no energy .
You feel as if even the smallest tasks are sometimes impossible.
You seldom enjoy the things that you used to enjoy-you may be off sex or food or may ‘comfort eat’ to excess.
You feel very anxious sometimes.

You don’t want to see people or are scared to be left alone. Social activity may feel hard or impossible.

You find it difficult to think clearly.

You feel like a failure and/or feel guilty a lot of the time.

You feel a burden to others.

You sometimes feel that life isn’t worth living.

You can see no future. There is a loss of hope. You feel all you’ve ever done is make mistakes and that’s all that you ever will do.
You feel irritable or angry more than usual.

You feel you have no confidence.

You spend a lot of time thinking about what has gone wrong, what will go wrong or what is wrong about yourself as a person. You may also feel guilty sometimes about being critical of others (or even thinking critically about them).
You feel that life is unfair.

You have difficulty sleeping or wake up very early in the morning and can’t sleep again. You seem to dream all night long and sometimes have disturbing dreams.

You feel that life has/is ‘passing you by.’

You may have physical aches and pains which appear to have no physical cause, such as back pain.

It’s this wealth of depression symptoms, and the broad scope that confuses many people as to what depression actually is. Explanations rarely cover all the symptoms, and everybody’s experience is different.

Q: How bad do your depression symptoms have to be to be sent to hospital?
i’m always hesitant to tell my psychologist the way i am really feeling just in case she decides i have to go to hospital. What type of things would make her come to that conclusion?

A: Why even go to the psychologist if you are not being truthful, not only to him/her, but true to yourself? Why live with these feelings deep down inside? I truly believe that hiding information inside, is just hurting you now and in the long run. Get real with yourself, go get the help you truly need.

Q: What are some Symptoms of depression? How do you get rid of it without going to the doctor?
I was told by my doctor that i had depression a year ago and i think im going thru it again but i would like to know what are the symptoms? Because i don’t want to go to the doctor again. im just scared of being on pills

A: dont be afraid of the doctor, but the book “feeling good” by doctor david burns is brilliant [see the link below ]

below is my stock answer for depression and the books are really good

you may have depression. i have it too. its not your fault, its not weakness and telling people really helps, they wont tell you to grow a pair or man up or stop being a wimp they will want to help.

follow these steps

1. take this test. http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/depression/Pages/Introduction.aspx

2. if it says you are depressed see a doctor anti depressants help and are nothintg to be ashamed of.

3. seek therapy if available talk to the doctor about this[if you go to a church talk to the minister]

4. buy this book. i cannot stress this enough. it has changed my life, i have asked 2 girls out this year and have never done that before, i have failed my degree and it doesnt bother me. it really hel

http://www.amazon.com/Feeling-Good-Therapy-Revised-Updated/dp/0380810336/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272508730&sr=8-1

if relationships are a major issue for you as they are for me i would recomend this book too

http://www.amazon.com/Intimate-Connections-David-D-Burns/dp/0451148452/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272510039&sr=1-1

Q: How to tell my mom I have the symptoms of depression?
I’ve had the symptoms of and on for about a year now.
They’ll go away, the come back.
I really do want to tell her because I’m tired of being depressed.
She’s just going to say I have no reason to be depressed because I have no chores, I get whatever I want, etc.
But she doesn’t realize people can’t help it if they have depression.

A: Just sit her down tell her you are depressed and you don’t know why but that you need to get treatment.. She loves you I am sure she will understand.. If she doesn’t though maybe you should go to the school guidance office and they could direct you to someone that could help..

My son sees a counselor and takes an antidepressant.. There is help available.. You are a strong person knowing you have a problem and getting help.. I think thats a sign of a really strong person.. So good luck may you get the help you need..

Q: If depression is caused by a chemical imbalance how do we explain all the many symptoms of depression?
These of some but not all of the symptoms that people deal with that seem to be directly connected to their depression: loss of memory and concentration, pain in the body, chronic pain in neck and shoulder, severe pain in limbs, loss of strength in limbs, inability to use limbs, uclers, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, rashes, constipation, gas, weight loss, weight gain, loss of appetite, sleep disruption, inability to stay awake. There are many other symptoms of depression that seem directly linked to depression. As one person said, “When the depression goes up, the pain goes down. When the pain goes up, the depression goes down.”

It would seem to be easier to explain these symptoms, if we looked at depression as an autoimmune disease of the brain. The immune system attacking various parts of the brain could cause all these symptoms. But how does a chemical imbalance in the brain cause all of these symptoms of depression?

A: We hear about the chemical imbalances that lead to depression, primarily from drug companies that are interested in selling their drugs. Of course depressin IS caused by an imbalance of chemicals put out by the brain, that that is not the ONLY cause. Often, the brain will begin to go into neurotranmistter overdrive as a reaction to some form of physical or quasi-physical stress, especially since the neurotransmitters that cause depression in an overabaundance are ALSO the neurotransmitters that are pumped out during the “fight or flight” reflex.

If these chemicals are pumped out in situations in which you don’t overtly have to fight or flee, it’s likely that the presence of these neurochemicals will cause a kind of traffic-jam effect that begins to play on other parts of the brain and thus other parts of the body. Which is why, when the pain goes up, the depression goes down. Pain, or some form of physical hardship will often jolt the body into responding, thus metabolizing the neurotransmitters that cause depression in the first place.

Knowing this, however, isn’t the same as finding a cure, it’s just a way to recognize that yes, there are OTHER forms of depression, and just as an aside note, I’ve noticed among Russian friends of mine suffering from depression, their doctors routinely suggest TRAVEL as a way of overcoming some of depression’s more debilitating effects.

Q: what is the best way to deal with minor depression symptoms?
like my boy friend has been noticably sad for a while, and i try to talk to him and cheer him up, but lately not even my Greatest attemps will soften him up. i need help, with out going to any kind of doc, ( he tells me its not that bad, and wont go.) so anyone have a serious answer for me, i dont like seeing him like this.
btw: we are 17/18 yrs

please and thank you!

A: Stop talking and start doing.

Really. If you get outdoors and do stuff – take brisk walks, go to movies, head to a school game or other event and keep up the activity level, he won;t have time to sit aroudn feelign sorry for himself and getting all depressed.

Adn if there is some cause (other than seasonal depression), like worries abotu the future or problems with studies, work on them together; just dont; make it appear you are tryign to give him the third degree to find out. Instead be observant, talk a lot with him and above all listen and observe to see if you can pinpoint any cause other than it being fall, winter coming and another year of school starting.

Q: What are some external physical symptoms of depression?
Does depression cause physical symptoms such as acne, et. cetera, what are some things caused by depression, externally?
Does anyone know if clinical depression can cause hair loss, weight loss, loss of teeth, or any other physical/ external/ (cosmetic) changes and or loss?
Does anyone know if clinical depression can cause hair loss, weight loss, loss of teeth, or any other physical/ external/ (cosmetic) changes and or loss?

A: [edit] Symptoms
According to the[7]DSM-IV-TR criteria for diagnosing a major depressive disorder] (cautionary statement) one of the following two elements must be present for a period of at least two weeks:

Depressed mood, or
Anhedonia
It is sufficient to have either of these symptoms in conjunction with five of a list of other symptoms over a two-week period. These include:

Feelings of overwhelming sadness and/or fear, or the seeming inability to feel emotion (emptiness).
A decrease in the amount of interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, daily activities.
Changing appetite and marked weight gain or loss.
Disturbed sleep patterns, such as insomnia, loss of REM sleep, or excessive sleep (Hypersomnia).
Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day.
Fatigue, mental or physical, also loss of energy.
Intense feelings of guilt, nervousness, helplessness, hopelessness, worthlessness, isolation/loneliness and/or anxiety.
Trouble concentrating, keeping focus or making decisions or a generalized slowing and obtunding of cognition, including memory.
Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), desire to just “lie down and die” or “stop breathing”, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.
Feeling and/or fear of being abandoned by those close to one.
Other symptoms often reported but not usually taken into account in diagnosis include:

Self-loathing.
A decrease in self-esteem.
Inattention to personal hygiene.
Sensitivity to noise.
Physical aches and pains, and the belief these may be signs of serious illness.
Fear of ‘going mad’.
Change in perception of time.
Periods of sobbing.
Possible behavioral changes, such as aggression and/or irritability.
Depression in children is not as obvious as it is in adults. Children may show symptoms such as:

Loss of appetite.
Irritability.
Sleep problems, such as recurrent nightmares.
Learning or memory problems where none existed before.
Significant behavioral changes; such as withdrawal, social isolation, and aggression.
An additional indicator could be the excessive use of drugs or alcohol. Depressed adolescents are at particular risk of further destructive behaviours, such as eating disorders and self-harm.

One of the most widely used instruments for measuring depression severity is the Beck Depression Inventory, a 21-question multiple choice survey.

It is hard for people who have not experienced clinical depression, either personally or by regular exposure to people suffering it, to understand its emotional impact and severity, interpreting it instead as being similar to “having the blues” or “feeling down.” As the list of symptoms above indicates, clinical depression is a serious, potentially lethal systemic disorder characterized by the psychiatric profession as interlocking physical, affective, and cognitive symptoms that have consequences for function and survival well beyond sad or painful feelings.

A recent study in Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease showed that alternative symptoms of depression including diminished drive, hopelessness and helplessness, lack of reactivity, anger, psychic and somatic anxiety can be as effective as current DSM-IV criteria in diagnosis. According to this study, diminished drive has a higher diagnostic criteria than all others except for depressed mood with sensitivity of 88.2 of specificity of 69.9. (PMID: 17041292)

Mnemonics commonly used to remember the DSM-IV criteria are SIGECAPS[8] (sleep, interest (anhedonia), guilt, energy, concentration, appetite, psychomotor, suicidality) and DEAD SWAMP[9] (depressed mood, energy, anhedonia, death (thoughts of), sleep, worthlessness/guilt, appetite, mentation, psychomotor).

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