depressed person is usually slow in moving and thinking,
although agitation can occur. Even speech can be slow
and monotonous. There can be lack of interest and attention
to personal hygiene and grooming. The person usually
looks sad and depressed and often anxious, irritable
and easily moved to tears (although in severe depression
the person often describes being emotionally blunt and
beyond tears).
The
thought content often has themes of hopelessness and
helplessness, with a negative view of:
1.
The self |
(I'm
a failure; Its all my fault: Nothing good ever
happens to me; I'm worthless; No-one loves me). |
2.
The world |
(Life
is not worth living; There is nothing good out
there). |
3.
The future |
(Things
will always be bad). |
Symptoms
of depression affect emotions, thinking behaviour and
physical well being. Some examples are listed
below:
Emotions |
Sadness,
anxiety, guilt, anger, mood swings, lack of emotional
responsiveness, helplessness, hopelessness. |
Thoughts |
Frequent
self-criticism, self-blame, worry, pessimism,
impaired memory and concentration, indecisiveness
and confusion, tendency to believe others see
you in a negative light, thoughts of death and
suicide. |
Behaviour |
Crying
spells, withdrawal from others, neglect of responsibilities,
loss of interest in personal appearance, loss
of motivation. |
Physical |
Chronic
fatigue, lack of energy, sleeping too much or
too little, overeating or loss of appetitie, constipation,
weight loss or gain, irregular menstrual cycle,
loss of sexual desire, unexplained aches and pains. |
Not
every person who is depressed has all these symptoms.
People who are more severly depressed will have more
symptoms than those who are mildly depressed. Here is
a guide to severity of depression:
mild
depression |
4
of the 10 symptoms over the past two weeks |
moderate
depression |
6
of the 10 symptoms over the past two weeks |
severe
depression |
8
of the 10 symptoms over the past two weeks |
Symptoms
of Depression
If a person is clinically depressed they would
have at least two of the following symptoms for at least
"two weeks":
An unusually sad mood that does not go away.
Loss of enjoyment and interest in activities that
used to be enjoyable.
Lack of energy and tiredness.
People
who are depressed have other symptoms such as:
Loss of confidence in themselves or poor self-esteem.
Feeling guilty when they are not really at fault.
Wishing they were dead.
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
Moving more slowly or, sometimes, sleeping too
much.
Loss of interest in food or, sometimes, eating
too much. Changes in eating habits may lead to either
loss of weight or putting on weight.
|
