Have you have ever stopped and thought to yourself, “Am I depressed?” If so, what you are feeling may be more than just the normal ups and downs we experience in our everyday lives. Everyone feels sad sometimes, as we all go through periods of doubt and emotional pain. This is all part of a healthy life, and these feelings usually fade over time. It is when they linger or interfere with your daily life that they could be a signal of depression.
Depression is more that just feeling down. It is a serious illness and the leading cause of disability for both men and women. If you are depressed, you will likely experience a gradual onset of symptoms. Some of the commons signs of depression are a lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed, changes in sleep and appetite, and difficulty thinking and concentrating.
Here are 7 questions to ask yourself to help you determine if your sadness could actually be clinical depression.
Are you experiencing thoughts of suicide? If you are experiencing thoughts of taking your own life or if you imagine the world a better place without you, Call 911 immediately or go to your local ER. You need to seek help right away.
Do you have intense sadness that has lasted longer than a few days? Feeling sad or experiencing grief is normal when coupled with a major life change such as a loss of a job, divorce or death of a loved one. When your sadness is persistent and long-lasting, this is a sign you may need a professional evaluation.
Have your eating patterns changed? You may find yourself overeating as a source of comfort or you may not be able to bring yourself to consume food at all.
Do you feel fatigued or lacking energy? A symptom of depression that is common is feeling drained for days or weeks at a time. It may be difficult to get out of bed or go to work.
Have you lost interest in activities you used to enjoy? Exercising, meeting up with friends, spending time outdoors are things that you may have stopped doing as a result of how you feel.
Are you feeling hopelessness? You may feel as though your life will never get better or that you are stuck in a situation you cannot control.
Do you feel worthless or guilty? Even though you have done nothing wrong, you may experience guilty feelings.
The above questions are not a way to diagnose depression, but to help you determine if you should seek professional help.
Still not sure whether you should seek professional help? Enter your name and email below to download a free clinical depression test. This test has more comprehensive questions to assist you in your decision to contact a mental health professional.
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