According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, depression affects 15 million Americans a year. Depression affects persons of all ages, race or socioeconomic status. It is not just feeling sad. There are several indicators of depression. If you are experiencing any or several indicators, it is important that you get help you need by calling your doctor or talking to a counselor. Depression is a treatable illness, and there are ways you can overcome it.
Lack of Interest in Daily Activities
It could be that you have no interest in going to work or completing the work that you usually do. You might not be able to concentrate on things you usually have an attention span for. Activities or extracurricular activities that you usually enjoy are not appealing to you. You might not feel that doing these activities are worth it and just cannot find the energy to participate. Persons experiencing depression often have a lack of interest in participating in their normal daily activities.
Change in Sleep Pattern
Maybe you are trying to sleep and cannot. Or you might be sleeping for several hours more during the day than you usually do. Having insomnia or sleeping excessively are sometimes indicators that you might be experiencing depression.
Lack of Energy
You might feel that you just do not have the energy that you usually have. Things that usually you would be able to participate in, you cannot. You might feel that mentally, emotionally and physically, you do not have the energy to do things. According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, feeling persistently lethargic and having lack of energy can indicate depression.
Weight Changes
When someone is depressed, he might turn to food for comfort and eat excessive amounts of food. Or he might not have the energy or interest in eating resulting in not eating like he usually does. Sudden weight gain or weight loss, along with other symptoms, could indicate that you are depressed.
Feelings of Worthlessness and Other Negative Feelings
Your self-esteem might be suffering, and you might feel worthless. You might have excessive feelings of guilt about things that have happened in your life. Persons who are depressed may experience feelings of worthlessness that do not go away. Sometimes persons who are depressed feel irritable, angry, agitated and anxious. These feelings can be overwhelming. Sometimes they can have unexplained crying spells or sadness.
Thoughts of Suicide or Death
Some persons who are depressed have recurrent thoughts of suicide or death. It is important if someone has these feelings that she gets the help she needs. She can call her doctor or speak to a counselor, or, if you think she is suicidal, you should call 911 or bring her to the emergency room.
