Depression affects nearly 1:6 people at some point in their lives. It is more than feeling sad or depressed, which is a normal reaction to loss or life’s struggles. When symptoms of depression become more intense and begin to affect daily functioning, it could be a sign of something more severe, such as a depressive disorder. This mood disorder is characterized by intense levels of sadness including feeling helpless, and worthlessness and may last for weeks, keeping a person from living life fully.

What are the symptoms of depression?

For someone to be diagnosed with a depressive disorder, symptoms must be present for at least two weeks. Individuals who are suffering from a depressive disorder may have trouble daily functioning and life activities. Experiencing the following symptoms most every day for two weeks may be signs of a depressive disorder. (Mental Health America)

• Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness
• Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
• Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports
• Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
• Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort
• Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain
• Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
• Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame
• Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
• Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide
• Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

People who are depressed may not experience every symptom, some may have all or many, others may only suffer from a few. As we mentioned, individuals must experience persistent symptoms for two weeks to be diagnosed with a depressive disorder. Severity and frequency of symptoms depends on the individual and if they also have a dual diagnosis.

What are some of the common questions surrounding depression?

There are some common questions surrounding depression, let’s take a look at those.

As a depression treatment center, Lifeskills South Florida understands that you have questions and we can help customize a treatment program to meet your needs. We can help you get your life back on track.