Many people ask themselves this question every day. You notice a change in yourself, or maybe your loved ones point it out to you; could it be depression?
Our society likes throw around clinical terms such as “depression” in everyday language to describe someone or characteristics of themselves. The reality is, that this term is very real, psychiatric diagnosis.
So… how can you determine if you are suffering from depression? Here are some symptoms to consider:
- Depression is a word to describe your mood. Are you feeling down, sad, lonely or irritable?
- When our mood changes, we tend to lose interest in parts of our lives we used to find joy in.
- Changes in our sleep, appetite, activity levels, attention span and weight may also indicate depression.
- Feelings of guilt, low self-esteem and worthlessness are common in people who struggle with depression.
- Suicidality or thoughts about self-harm or death can also be experienced by someone with depression..
If you read the above tips and found any one of them to be true, you would probably not be alone. As humans, we experience emotion on a continuum- and just because we experience sadness or changes in our sleep, does not mean we suffer from depression.
It is important to consider that when the above symptoms become difficult to handle and are impacting different aspects of your life, you should seek out a professional’s support.
Any licensed mental health professional can help you determine if you struggle with depression. As it is the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorder, there are plenty of options for treatment and support.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing suicidal thinking, please contact your local emergency services or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at : 1-800-273-8255
Valerie Spiropoulos, LCPC