by Broken Blade

Created on: June 26, 2009   Last Updated: June 30, 2009

Everyone goes through a point in time when they are feeling very sad. Everything is hopeless, they don't want to do anything, they feel like crying, want to be alone, etc. Those are natural feelings. In fact, there is likely something wrong with you if you have never experienced them. If these feelings lasted longer than two weeks as well as other symptoms, you may be suffering from clinical depression.

How does one know if he or she might have depression? It is good to look up information on a web page or at book stores and libraries. There are many books and sites that list the symptoms of depression. Symptoms of depression are:

Sadness: It goes without saying; a depressed person is definitely sad most of his or her waking life. The person smiles and laughs less.

Crying: People are more prone to crying due to persistent low moods. Some people, however, never cry due to depression.

Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities: Depressed people often withdraw from activities they used to enjoy, and they often withdraw from others as well.

Changes in appetite: Depressed people often find themselves eating less, or eating more food.

Changes in weight: You may gain weight from eating more and moving less. Or you may lose weight from eating very little.

Sleep disturbance: Victims of depression do not get restful sleep. They often wake up in the middle of the night and are unable to continue sleep.

Excessive sleeping: Victims of depression sometimes sleep way more than necessary. They sometimes spend days in bed sleeping.

Irritability: Victims of depression often tend to have short tempers. They find themselves easily irritated at even small things. Depression even causes mood swings.

Feelings of worthlessness or guilt: Depression causes one to feel like he or she is worthless and has no business living. Or one can feel like he has done something bad which is causing his depression.

Thoughts of death or suicide: One often thinks about death, usually longing for it. They even consider ending their own lives themselves to take the pain of living the kind of life they have.

Every human is different and the causes of depression are diverse for each individual. Causes are usually combined and depression is often slowly developed over years, unless triggered by a traumatic experience. If you have the above symptoms and have had them for longer than two weeks, you may want to consult your doctor and find out if you, in fact, have clinical depression.

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