| Depression
may involve your body, mood, thoughts, and behaviors.
It may affect the way you eat and sleep, the way you feel
about yourself, and the way you think about things. It
is not a sign of personal weakness, nor is it a condition
that can be willed or wished away.
Not everyone experiences
the following symptoms. Some people may experience a
few and others may experience many. Severity of symptoms
varies with individuals.
- 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,
including sex
- Insomnia, early-morning awakening,
or oversleeping
- Appetite and/or weight loss
or overeating and weight gain
- Decreased energy, fatigue,
being "slowed down"
- Thoughts of death or suicide,
suicide attempt
- Restlessness, irritability
- Difficulty concentrating,
remembering, making decisions
- Persistent physical symptoms
that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches,
digestive disorders, and chronic pain
There is a risk for developing
depression when there is a family history, indicating
that a biological vulnerability can be inherited. However,
not everyone with a genetic vulnerability develops the
illness. Apparently additional factors, possibly a stressful
environment and other psychosocial factors, are involved
in the onset of depression.
Psychological makeup also plays
a role in vulnerability to depression. People who have
low self-esteem, who consistently view themselves and
the world with pessimism, or who are readily overwhelmed
by stress are prone to depression.
A serious loss, chronic illness,
difficult relationship, financial problem, or any unwelcome
change in life patterns may also trigger a depressive
episode.
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Symptoms
of Depression: