How Do You Know if You're Really Depressed?

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How Do You Know if You're Really Depressed

How Do You Know if You’re Really Depressed?

If anyone had a reason to feel down in the dumps it was Diane. She was dealing with a debilitating illness, taking medication and dealing with family losses. She had three strikes against her, but was she really clinically depressed? What is depression and what makes clinical depression different from just feeling down and discouraged.

How do you know if you are really depressed or if it is time for medication? It’s true everyone does get down occasionally and may feel they are depressed. Nobody is guaranteed a life free of emotional blues, but most people don’t keep their depressed mood for more than a few days at a time. Here is a list of some symptoms that are considered clinical depression. Check any of the following you may have had over the past few weeks.

  • I don’t have as much energy as I previously did

  • I feel worthless and guilty

  • I feel I have messed things up

  • I cannot focus or concentrate

  • I have difficulty making decisions

  • I feel like a failure

  • I feel like I am being punished

  • I have lost interest in others

  • I feel I look worse than I use to

  • I am worried about my health

  • I think about death more than ever

  • Sometimes I think about taking my own life

  • I am disappointed in myself

  • I have gained or lost weight

  • I am having difficulty sleeping

  • I feel agitated and jumpy

  • I am getting angry quickly

  • I spend a lot of time sitting around

  • Life seems hopeless

  • I feel sad, or down most of the time

  • I am not as interested as I use to be in my daily activities.

Depression is not something to take lightly

If you have checked all or more than 5 of the above you are advised to evaluate and possibly seek help to address your particular situation. Depression is not something to take lightly.

If your life seems hopeless and this is continuing for more than a couple of weeks you might be clinically depressed. Holiday’s can be great but it can also bring out sadness for individuals who are alone or away from their family. We see the picture-perfect celebrations on television and Facebook and we think what is wrong with me and my life. If you would like to get evaluated, please feel free to call our office. If you are having suicide thoughts, please go to your nearest emergency room and seek help immediately. The suicide hot line number is 988 from your cell phone or 1(800)273-8255.