Believe it or not, depression is one of the most misdiagnosed diseases. Symptoms for depression can mimic those for other medical problems causing confusion. It may seem to be a physical illness when it is not. By knowing what to look for you will be prepared to help others who are experiencing these symptoms.
The most common symptoms of depression are fatigue and loss of energy. The depressed person will have little or no motivation to do anything at all. They may find it difficult to complete simple tasks or they may not even attempt their normal activities. People suffering from depression may feel that nothing is worth doing, so there is little desire to do the normal things a healthy person would do.
A depressed person will have odd sleep patterns. Ask if the person is having a hard time getting to sleep. Is the person waking at early hours on a regular basis? It can also show a constant desire of being asleep. A person suffering from depression will find in sleeping a good hiding place where his or her problems won’t affect him or her.
Weight issues will arise from depression. The part of the brain that controls weight also controls mood. A person may gain or lose weight with no effort on their part, mainly because depression will cause eating disorders (lack of appetite or over eating).
Depressed mood is another sure sign. This includes always being down, low self-esteem, and thoughts of suicide. This also involves the tendency to stop caring about what were previously important – home, work, kids, and marriage.
Social skills are affected. The person may not want to be around other people. Sexual dysfunction may arise. Indecision and poor hygiene fall in this category.
While a person who is not depressed can exhibit any of these characteristics at some point in time, the depressed person exhibits many of them over a long period of time. The depressed person may say they see no end in sight. They don’t! To them, there is no cure for how they feel.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms it is important to immediately see a trained counselor. Most insurance services cover some form of counseling and many universities and city health departments off free or reduced services. No matter where you receive treatment it is a must that you do so. Depression rarely cures itself.
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I guess I’ll have to take my Zoloft medication for the rest of my life.
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