Everyone has down days. Yet, there are times when a person’s down moods are so frequent that it becomes an actual illness. This illness has symptoms, a generally predictable course of action, and treatment procedure. There is not one general cause of depression. Increased stress can cause depression. Unresolved issues from the past can create depression. Even hormonal changes that occur in a female following childbirth can cause depression. So, how does a person know if her or his down mood is more than just a bunch of bad days put together?
First, if your mood is down consistently for more than 2 weeks, and you do not see an identifiable reason for the change, contact your doctor or other healthcare provider. Even if you do know the reason for the change, but your mood is really difficult to manage, seek some help. Here are the symptoms your healthcare provider will be evaluating:
- Depressed mood almost every day
- Decreased interest in pleasurable activities
- Weight loss or weight gain without trying of 5% body weight or a significant change in eating habits
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much nearly every day
- Others see the depressed person physically shaking or moving slowly
- Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
- Feelings of worthlessness or feelings of excessive guilt nearly every day
- Difficulty concentrating or indecisiveness
- Decreased interest in sex
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
If you or someone you know has five or more of these symptoms, talk to a healthcare professional. These same symptoms can also be associated with other medical issues and a well-trained healthcare provider should help make these determinations. Notice that these symptoms are things that a healthcare provider would ask you or your loved one and would then make decisions based on the responses. There is not a blood test or other medical procedure to prove the diagnosis of depression. Yet, it is a real illness that can be as deadly as a heart attack because people can get so depressed that they take their own life. During a severe depressive episode, there is a point that an individual begins to feel that the pain or struggle of continuing to live is more difficult than confronting one’s own psychological need for self-preservation. However, most people who are that depressed do not really want to die. They just don’t want to keep living the way they are living and do not see any alternatives. Depending on which study you look at, 5-12% of men and 10-25% of women will be clinically depressed at least once in their lifetime, and if untreated, at will last more than 6 months. Additionally, more than 50% of those who struggle with this once will have it return. Therefore, depression is not anything one should take lightly.
If you suspect you or someone you know suffer from depression call us to get an evaluation done. Call us today at 910-249-4219.