Recognizing the signs of depression
What is depression?
Depression is a mood disorder that is often referred to as clinical depression, major depression, or major depressive disorder. It causes low moods, during which a person has feelings of sadness and/or low self-worth.
Although periods of sadness are common in everyone, the symptoms of major depression become so severe that they can cause a person to become unable to do their daily routines, socialize and develop/ keep personal relationships. In many cases, the symptoms become so severe that they threaten the lively hood of the person, it can cause them to lose friends, family, jobs, houses, and if left untreated their lives.
What are the symptoms of depression?
While depression comes in many forms here are some of the most common signs and symptoms of depression:
- Separation anxiety (in pre-adolescents)
- Poor sleep habits
- Decline in grades, or in quality of work.
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Anger or irritability
- Pessimism
- Lethargy
- Unexplained aches or pains
- Symptoms of ADHD
- Substance abuse
- Self-harm
What should you do if you believe you or someone you know may have depression?
Depression is not to be taken lightly. While it may seem harmless at first, it can ruin a person's life if left untreated. If you think you may have depression, talk to your doctor, or if you are under the age of 18 talk to your parents/guardian or a trusted adult about seeing a doctor. As for helping other people you think may have depression, things may be a little difficult. If you think a family member has depression, talk to them about depression and see how they feel. Then talk to their doctor or ask them too. If it is a friend of yours try voicing your concerns to their parents/guardians if it's safe, or family and friends. If they agree try talking to your friend and see what they want to do.
Don't feel like you're an outsider because you have depression, lots of people are going through and have been through what you are going through, and there are lots of ways to get help and lots of people who want to help. All you have to do is speak up.