1. Common Symptoms of Depression
Persistent feelings of sadness and anxiety are often the hallmarks of clinical depression, but there are many other symptoms that may present themselves more prominently. If you suspect that you're suffering from depression, it is important to consider all of your mental and physical symptoms and seek the guidance of a qualified therapist for a formal diagnosis and treatment plan.
Some common signs of depression include feelings of worthlessness or helplessness, irritability, fatigue, inability to concentrate, insomnia and excessive sleeping. Oftentimes, a depressed person will start to lose interest in their favorite activities, pull away from loved ones and in more severe cases, have suicidal thoughts.
2. The Physical Pain of Depression
Although clinical depression is a mental illness, it can cause a number of physical ailments and can lead to a dramatic decline in health if it isn't treated promptly. Some common complaints include muscle pain, cramps, headaches and unexplained digestive problems such as chronic constipation.
If you have a preexisting condition, you may even notice that you don't respond well to treatments or are more prone to illnesses. Clinical depression takes a huge toll on the body and can severely impact your quality of life if it is left untreated. This may leave you unable to fight infections properly and make you susceptible to frequent illnesses.
3. Illnesses that Co-Exist With Depression
Sometimes, your depression may be the consequence of another mental or physical condition such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder and social phobia. If you have a serious medical condition such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson's disease or stroke, signs of depression may accompany your symptoms and may make it more difficult for you to heal. In fact, research has indicated that patients with untreated depression who are recovering from a serious physical illness have higher medical bills than those patients who aren't clinically depressed.
