How to Tell if You are Depressed

Have you heard a lot about depression but are not sure if you have it? It can be so subtle and affect your health without you realizing. Having worked on a crisis/suicide hotline in the past, I have seen it manifest itself in many ways. It is scary to think you can have it even if you have no family history, do not "feel sad" or feel you have a "reason" to be depressed. But do not worry, it is much more common than you think and if you feel you have it, you can reach out and get help. With a little objectivity and guidance, you can be on your way to finding out if you have the symptoms of depression and on your way to feeling better.<br><br>The following are a series of questions which may or may not include symptoms you are experiencing. Please ask yourself these questions and if you answer "yes" then consider talking with a counselor or trusted individual in your life. You may be surprised to know they know where you are coming from.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Everything is becoming a chore. Do you find yourself thinking that everything is a chore, including getting up off the couch to put that dish in the kitchen, doing homework or doing easy tasks? This could be a sign that your energy level is depleted. Also, thinking "that is a lot of work" about simple, routine daily tasks is a common sign of depression.

2. Life loss, stress and changes. Have you experienced a loss lately, large or small, such as a relationship, move, death of any kind, diagnosis, change of jobs or living situation? Be warned even positive changes in your life like marriage and success can bring about feelings of depression. It should not last more than a few weeks to a month, but if it does, consult a medical professional or counselor.

3. Sleeping and waking. Do you experience nightmares, especially where you are trapped and have nowhere to go? Is your sleep disturbed, meaning do you have difficulty falling or staying asleep? Do you toss and turn so much that the bed is dismantled by the time you awake in the morning? Do you feel restless during the day or do you feel drained and exhausted upon waking? Do you sleep too much and make excuses for your sleep? Do you have trouble getting out of bed more than a few days a week? Although you may not "feel" depressed, this can be a signal depression is either on its way or already here.

4. Eating. Do you feel you are eating too much or too little? Reaching for food to ease your pain? Have your eating habits changed dramatically? Have you gained or lost weight in a relatively short amount of time? Have you almost entirely lost your appetite? Do you have difficulty in general eating?

5. Daily life and taking care of yourself. How is your daily activity level? Are you still showering and grooming yourself? Have you stopped wearing makeup, doing laundry regularly, shaving, buying new clothes or styling your hair even though nothing is stopping you?

6. Physical changes and illness. Have their been any physical changes in your life such as surgeries, illness, thyroid, different medications, pregnancy, having a baby (even if you have had others), change of life such as menopause or mid- to late-life in males. These can all contribute to or cause depression. Seek healthy treatment from a medical doctor as soon as possible to get you back on track.

7. Activities, hobbies and interests. Have you lost interest in activities and hobbies you used to love? Or, do you find it impossible to exercise when you once did? Is even going for a walk difficult, though the weather and time do allow for this? Have you dropped out of activities? Are you calling in "sick" for obligations? Do different people remark that they see you less? Has your work performance slipped? Do your kids notice something different about you?

8. Feelings, loneliness and support. Have you isolated yourself from your family, relatives, friends and even your children? Have you stopped entertaining or started to decline invitations for no reason? Do you find yourself wanting to be alone? Do you feel even God does not want you around or is angry with you? Or, perhaps you feel alone though you are surrounded by family, friends and other support in your life. This is characterized by feeling lonely in a crowd or surrounded by people you know.

9. Is this the end of the road? Are you thinking about death or wishing you would be taken out of this life? Are you thinking others are better off without you or that you are bad company? This is perhaps the most serious and telling indicator of depression and you should talk to someone you trust or a professional immediately.

10. Take the quiz in the Resources section of this article for more information and indicators of depression.

Tips & Warnings

• There is no shame in being depressed, so do not feel you have to hide it. It takes a wiser person to seek help.
• <br>There are many free forms of treatment in the case you do not have insurance.
• <br>You do not always have to go on medication.
• <br>Depression is never your fault nor does it mean you are "defective," even if it is hereditary.
• <br>Acknowledging depression is the first step to being able to treat it.
• If you suspect you are depressed, you probably are. Be on the safe side and consult a medical doctor or counselor if symptoms do not improve within a few weeks. Do not try to "go it alone."
• <br>This article is not meant to substitute for medical advice or be considered medical treatment. Please seek help from a mental health provider and/or physician. You may only have to go a few times to get back on track.

[cyclegirl98]

on 10/8/2008 Excellentarticle on identifying depression. Very well written!

[Susanh]

on 7/7/2008 These are good tips to help family members or friends see the symptoms of depression too.