depression? what are the signs?

Signs and symptoms

Two hallmarks of depression — symptoms key to establishing a diagnosis — are:

1. Loss of interest in normal daily activities. You lose interest in or pleasure from activities that you used to enjoy.

2. Depressed mood. You feel sad, helpless or hopeless, and may have crying spells.

In addition, for a doctor or other health professional to diagnose depression, most of the following signs and symptoms also must be present for at least two weeks.

1. Sleep disturbances. Sleeping too much or having problems sleeping can be a sign you're depressed. Waking in the middle of the night or early in the morning and not being able to get back to sleep are typical.

2. Impaired thinking or concentration. You may have trouble concentrating or making decisions and have problems with memory.

3. Changes in weight. An increased or reduced appetite and unexplained weight gain or loss may indicate depression.
Agitation. You may seem restless, agitated, irritable and easily annoyed.

4. Fatigue or slowing of body movements. You feel weariness and lack of energy nearly every day. You may feel as tired in the morning as you did when you went to bed the night before. You may feel like you're doing everything in slow motion, or you may speak in a slow, monotonous tone.

5. Low self-esteem. You feel worthless and have excessive guilt.
Less interest in sex. If you were sexually active before developing depression, you may notice a dramatic decrease in your level of interest in having sexual relations.

6. Thoughts of death. You have a persistent negative view of yourself, your situation and the future. You may have thoughts of death, dying or suicide.

Depression can also cause a wide variety of physical complaints, such as gastrointestinal problems (indigestion, constipation or diarrhea), headache and backache. Many people with depression also have symptoms of anxiety.

Children, teens and older adults may react differently to depression. In these groups, symptoms may take different forms or may be masked by other conditions. Kids may pretend to be sick, worry that a parent is going to die, perform poorly in school, refuse to go to school, or exhibit behavioral problems. Older people may be more willing to discuss the physical manifestations of depression, instead of their emotional difficulties.

Types of depression

The main types of depression include:

Major depression. This type of mood disturbance lasts more than two weeks. Symptoms may include overwhelming feelings of sadness and grief, loss of interest or pleasure in activities you usually enjoy, and feelings of worthlessness or guilt. This type of depression may result in poor sleep, a change in appetite, severe fatigue and difficulty concentrating. Severe depression may increase the risk of suicide.

Dysthymia. Dysthymia is a less severe but more chronic form of depression. Signs and symptoms usually aren't disabling, and periods of dysthymia can alternate with short periods of feeling normal. Having dysthymia places you at an increased risk of major depression.

Adjustment disorders. If a loved one dies, you lose your job or you receive a diagnosis of cancer, it's perfectly normal to feel tense, sad, overwhelmed or angry. Eventually, most people come to terms with the lasting consequences of life stresses, but some don't. This is what's known as an adjustment disorder — when your response to a stressful event or situation causes signs and symptoms of depression. Some people develop an adjustment disorder in response to a single event. In others, it stems from a combination of stressors. Adjustment disorders can be acute (lasting less than six months) or chronic (lasting longer). Doctors classify adjustment disorders based on the primary signs and symptoms of depression or anxiety.

Bipolar disorder. Having recurrent episodes of depression and elation (mania) is characteristic of bipolar disorder. Because this condition involves emotions at both extremes (poles), it's called bipolar disorder or manic-depressive disorder. Mania affects your judgment, causing you to make unwise decisions. Some people have bursts of increased creativity and productivity during the manic phase. The number of episodes at either extreme may not be equal. Some people may have several episodes of depression before having another manic phase, or vice versa.
Seasonal affective disorder. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a pattern of depression related to changes in seasons and a lack of exposure to sunlight. It may cause headaches, irritability and a low energy level.

If you have had at least five of the depression symptoms listed below - especially if you feel depressed and have lost interest in things that you used to enjoy - you may be suffering from depression.

1. Depressed Mood
A person may report feeling "sad" or "empty" or may cry frequently. Children and adolescents may exhibit irritability.
2. Decreased Interest or Pleasure
A person may show markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, daily activities.
3. Weight Changes
Significant changes in weight when not attempting to gain or lose (a gain or loss of 5% or more in a month) may be indicative of depression. In children, this may also present as a failure to make expected weight gains.
4. Sleep Disturbances
Insomnia or sleeping too much may be a symptom of depression.
5. Psychomotor Agitation or Retardation
The person may be observed to be either agitated and restless or physically slowed down in their movements.
6. Fatigue
Deep fatigue or a loss of energy is a symptom of depression.
7. Feelings of Worthlessness or Guilt
A depressed person may feel that they have no value or they may feel inappropriately guilty about things they have no control over.
8. "Brain Fog"
A depressed person may have a diminished ability to think, concentrate or make decisions.
9. Thoughts of Death
A depressed person may have frequent thoughts of death and suicide, although they may or may not have an actual plan for carrying it out.

ANY FEAR CAN BE TIDE OVER BY SINCERE MEDITATION AND PRAYER

Your prayer is from your heart. Further You must have to understood the fact that God is present in our heart. This can be realised in meditation. Further we are the creation of our own destiny. As per Hindu sacred religion, we carry all good and bad deeds life after life. There is no end unless we pray for unification of self with the divineliness.
Hence there is always a possible way to complete mergence with God in this life by a simple and wonderful meditation

When you feel like sleeping all the time.
When you close all your doors and curtains and just lay around.

When you don't feel like talking to anyone so you don't answer your phone or the door.

When you feel like your life is worthless and you think people would be better off without you.

When your sure people are talking about you and it is not good what they are saying.

When you can't think straight.

When things you used to like to do you just don't care about anymore.

When you have a hard time concentrating.

If you feel like this for a long time, call your doctor to get some help.

go to http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/depressionmenu.cfm

laziness
reluctancy to do anything
saddness without reason
cloudyness in your head
the thought of doing something makes you so sad for no logical reason

chemical depression has no origan, no causes, just effects.

hi,
the signs of depression are prolonged sadness, crying, lack of energy, sleeping a lot or just wanting to stay in bed. not caring about doing the things you once enjoyed doing. if you think you may have depression, see your doctor right away. you need not suffer with this.

I just came out of a long depression. You have no energy.
Nothing is of interest.
nothing on tv seems interesting.
Your back and other parts can hurt even though there is nothing wrong.
you think about not being here anymore.
all thoughts are negative.
you worry about everything , especially future things like money and security.
some people feel deserted by everyone.
not hungry and can't sleep.
that is about it.

.When you feel down..
..When you can't sleep...
...When your stressed out...
....When you feel like your bodys in pain...
.....When you cry so much you can't stop and almost throw up...
......When you look in the mirror and call yourself ugly.
.......When you start to think about suicide...
........When you want to start a new life...
.........When you feel lonely in life...
...........When you feel like you have Karma....
.............When you feel like nobody cares about you....
...............When you haven't smiled for days....
.................When you felt like you lost something you've loved...
...................When your not enjoying sexual intercourse.....
.....................When you think you should be locked up in jail....
.......................When you feel sick everyday....
........................When you feel like you want to stab yourself...
...........................When you cry everyday...
.............................When you felt like you've been stabbed...
Count up how many you got.
[Theres 20 Statements]


If you got 5-10= Sort of depressed
If you got 10-15= Talk about it to someone and open your bottle
If you got 15> = Go see a Psychiatrist.




I'm almost never sad or depressed.

I'm just a happy ecstatic person! Everyday.

Knowing that you should be happier because you're life is good....but you just aren't feeling it.

According to the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the main symptoms and signs of depression are the following:

Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
Restlessness, irritability
Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain

If you have been experiencing several of these symptoms to a degree that they have impaired or affected your life, talk to your doctor.