You can take a quiz on this webpage: https://www. nhs. uk/conditions/clinical-depression.
Emotional changes are common signs of depression, like feelings of hopelessness, feeling extra irritable, and experiencing self-loathing thoughts. Depression can manifest in physical ways, like a lowered appetite, a desire to sleep more or not sleep at all, decreased energy, difficulty concentrating, and random muscle pains, headaches, and stomach aches. Your daily schedule may change as a result of depression. For instance, you may not find a lot of activities to be interesting, or you may engage in more risky behaviors, like gambling or drug use.
Make a list of the activities you regularly participated in before you started feeling worse and estimate how often you did each one. Over the next couple of weeks, make a note whenever you do one of these activities and see if your rate has significantly decreased.
Examples of suicidal thoughts include: fantasies about hurting or killing yourself, giving your things away and putting your final affairs in order, telling people final goodbyes, or thinking hopeless thoughts.
Weight gain or loss can be caused by a variety of different things, and may not just be a symptom of depression.
For example, if you find yourself crying for no reason or over something trivial, such as spilling a cup of water or missing your bus, then this is a good indication that you may be depressed. Tearfulness, or frequent crying, is a common symptom of depression in teens. [8] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source
Physical pain is one of the more common and often overlooked signs of depression in men. If you are a man experiencing backaches, headaches, stomach problems, sexual dysfunction, or any other physical symptoms, be sure to tell your doctor. Elderly people often complain about physical problems over mental or emotional ones, and so depression may hide for a long time. Be aware of any physical changes, deaths of friends, and losses of independence that could trigger depression. [10] X Research source
For instance, 2 family members passing away within a few months of each might be the cause of your depression. A stressful trigger in your life might also be the cause, like a medical diagnosis, money problems, or a relationship that ended badly.
Most new mothers experience “baby blues” symptoms for a few days, then recover on their own. This is probably due to hormonal changes and stress following birth. If you are having suicidal thoughts, or the depression is preventing you from caring for your baby, or if the symptoms last more than a week or two, consult a doctor immediately. Postpartum psychosis is a rare condition that can occur within two weeks of childbirth. If your depression symptoms are severe and accompanied by extreme mood swings, thoughts about harming your baby, or hallucinations, go to a hospital immediately.
Not all temporary depression is attributed to SAD. Many people have depressive episodes that occur every few weeks, months, or years.
If you have trouble being active or leaving the house, let your friends know you’re depressed and encourage them to keep inviting you to activities you enjoy even if you don’t make it every time. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Write down the symptoms you’ve been experiencing so a doctor or psychiatrist can know how to help you.
For example, you may find a depression support group to be helpful, or you may find a group like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous to be helpful if you have turned to substances as a way to cope.
Keep in mind that medication is not meant for long-term use. It can help with your symptoms, but you will likely need to seek other forms of treatment as well, such as therapy, to see significant improvement. [19] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source
If you want to make some new friends, then try joining a club of people who share an interest with you, or even a group you’d never thought of before. A regular meeting such as a weekly dance night or book club can make it easier to develop a habit of attending. If you’re too shy to speak to strangers at one of these events, a smile and eye contact can be enough to start a conversation. Find a smaller group or one with people you’re more comfortable around if you’re experiencing severe anxiety about it.
You can do something simple, like dancing around in your room to music or taking your dog for a walk. You can always go to a gym or park to get a change of scenery while you exercise.
For instance, you can enjoy some chopped walnuts as a snack instead of a candy bar. Alcohol may also have a bad effect on your mood, so drink it sparingly.
