Depress press

Hi.

"Ugh. I'm depressed." We've all said it, and even the most happy-go-lucky among us will have an occasional bout of the blues. Sometimes it's the big stuff that triggers it—like getting fired, losing a loved one, or splitting up with your spouse—but often enough, feeling low can come from things as simple as a Grey's Anatomy rerun, crappy weather, or a rough night's sleep. But does that mean you’re actually depressed? Not so fast.

For most of us, these feelings come and go. But when sadness persists for more than two weeks and affects your ability to function at work, at home, or in other aspects of your life, you may have what's known as major, or clinical, depression. 

Depression doesn’t always look like debilitating sadness,"

Patients are reluctant to consider depression as a cause of their symptoms—in part because they may equate it with weakness, but also in part because they simply don’t associate those symptoms with depression.

Most of us would recognize classic depression, with its heavy veil of sadness and hopelessness. But what if you just started getting stomachaches or were suddenly very snappy? Could you be depressed without knowing it?

More than "the blues," depression is a major illness that affects the way we sleep, eat, and feel about ourselves and others. Without treatment, the symptoms of depression may last for weeks, months, or even years. 

The symptoms: We don't all experience depression in the same way. But commonly, depression can cause decreased energy, changes in sleeping and eating patterns, problems with memory and concentration, and feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and negativity.

The tests: There's no blood test for depression, but your doctor may be able to identify it by asking you a series of questions. If you experience five or more of these symptoms below for more than 2 weeks, or if they interfere with your life, see your doctor or mental health professional: fatigue or loss of energy; sleeping too little or too much; a persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood; reduced appetite and weight loss; increased appetite and weight gain; loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed; restlessness or irritability; persistent physical symptoms that don't respond to treatment, such as headaches, chronic pain, or constipation and other digestive disorders; difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions; feeling guilty, hopeless, or worthless thoughts of death or suicide. 

 

Signs of depression :

1.You can't make up your mind.

We make upwards of 70 conscious decisions every day.Snooze or wake up? Get dressed or stay in pajamas? Eat oatmeal or eggs? Read or watch TV? When we’re depressed, those cognitive processes take a big hit. Little things we normally don't think twice about suddenly become weighty decisions

2.Your head is in the clouds.
Daydreaming a lot lately? About becoming a movie star, falling madly in love, how your friend is smarter than yours, or the boss has it in for you? We're happiest when our minds are firmly rooted in the present moment, and when our minds wander, it can make us wistful, anxious, and unhappy. While daydreaming can help find creative solutions to problems, more often than not it's linked to low mood. 

3. You've stopped combing your hair.
Even if your grooming routine was modest to begin with, it may disappear when you're depressed. Neglecting your physical wellbeing and appearance is only problematic when it crosses over into distress or dysfunction.Ultimately, not caring what you look like on the outside is a strong sign of problems happening on the inside.

3. You're in pain.
Depression and pain share some of the same biological pathways and neurotransmitters. 

4. You're busting out of your pants.
Where did that extra roll come from? Maybe from all the late-night ice cream you've been inhaling? Or from the frozen dinners you've been eating because you don't feel like shopping or cooking? Although comfort food can raise levels of the mood-boosting brain chemical serotonin, over time emotional eating can lead to weight gain and feelings of guilt and shame, plus it does nothing to treat the underlying causes of depression. On the flip side, some people may lose weight, as depression zaps appetite.

5. You have a short fuse.
If the slightest mishap sends you into a rage, or grouchy is your new normal, you may be depressed.

Once you’re on the negative side of the house, you're more accessible to the rooms where other negative moods hang out—irritability, frustration and anger.

6. You feel nothing.
Feeling blah? Neutral? Numb? Most of us have motivations that get us out of bed in the morning, whether it's work, exercise, socializing, or making breakfast.But for people who are depressed, those pulls dry up.And things that once brought tears or smiles now barely register. This kind of zombie behavior is a hallmark of depression, and it can make you seem cold, distant or aloof, pushing away the people who would otherwise give you love and support.

7. You're glued to Facebook...

Or gambling or shopping...basically doing anything in excess, especially online. Several studies confirm that people who go online compulsively and have more virtual social interactions than real ones may be depressed. They may feel deprived of real human companionship and/or may be using the online world to escape from their thoughts and feelings. While Internet addiction and depression are separate diagnoses, they often overlap. 

Hope this helps. I edited various articles from the web and compiled them into one.

Kbye!