Depression &
Depression Symptoms

What is Depression?

Before we can understand depression symptoms, we should define what exactly depression is.

People manifest different symptoms and signs of depression, but one thing is certain: depression is a difficult illness that can destroy your life if left unresolved.

Many people with depression describe it as a sense of despair that engulfs everything they do and everything they feel.

Those who think being depressed is simply feeling sad because something didn’t go your way, like your favorite team losing the championship game, have no idea what suffering from a true depression is really like. Depression is much deeper and more invasive than sadness or frustration.

Depression takes everything away from you; it saps your energy, focus, concentration, and especially your joy. You may feel like you just don't care about anything, including important people in your life. This feeling in itself can be very frightening.

Depression Symptoms Include Physical Problems

When you're depressed, you tend to become inactive. This alone can cause a number of problems, but when added to some of the other physical symptoms of depression, it's easy to see why depression is such a serious illness.

In addition, depression can lead to:

• Lack of sleep - Depression can cause insomnia, which strips the body of the necessary sleep in order to function properly.
• Poor nutrition - When depressed, many people fail to take in proper nutrients. It takes too much effort to plan and prepare a meal. This can cause several health problems.
• Aches and pains - When you're depressed, the chemicals in the brain that signal pain are as affected as those chemicals in your brain that help you feel happy. Physical aches and pains often increase, which in turn kicks in the sad feelings and the cycle begins again.
• Hygiene issues - Many times those who suffer from depression don’t even have the energy or the motivation to be concerned with self-care.

What are the Symptoms of Depression?

* Constant and severe sadness about everything
* Hopelessness
* Insomnia or trouble sleeping
* Irritability
* Trouble concentrating
* Loss of interest in things that once interested them
* Feeling worthless, useless and guilty for no reason at all
* Serious change in weight, one way or the other
* Lack of energy and fatigue

One thing about depression is certain: it's a serious condition and should be taken seriously.

As depression progresses, it feeds on itself like a snowball rolling downhill. The longer someone is depressed, the worse the depression gets until they see no way out of it at all. They may become resigned to just constantly feeling miserable.

Depression can be caused by a certain event, the change of seasons, a loss of someone close, or even a chemical imbalance in the brain. The treatment for depression usually involves counseling or medication that helps alter brain chemistry.

If you know someone who is depressed, the best thing you can do is be his or her friend. Many times those who are depressed feel guilty because they feel they have no “real” reason to justify the depression. They may resort to keeping it all inside, and hiding it from those closest to them. Try to talk to them and help them through this period. Help them seek medical care to treat their illness as soon as you notice their depression symptoms.

If you think you may be depressed, talk to a health care provider or mental health professional. Depression doesn't have to ruin your life! With help and support, you can conquer your depression, move past it, and go on to live a joyful life.

Return from Depression Symptoms to Secret Changes Homepage