As discussed in the previous article Mental Disorders: an Intro, a mental illness or disorder can have destructive effects on one’s lifestyle. Thus, it is necessary to look out for signs and check on your mental health frequently, so that you can get treated, if you are suffering from a mental disorder, in a timely and quick manner.
In this article, we will be focusing on the most common mental disorders people face: depression.
What is depression?
Depression is characterized by multiple symptoms, which may arise as a combination of symptoms or one may lack certain symptoms. These symptoms must occur most of the day, nearly every day and may include:
Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism
Irritability
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
Decreased energy or fatigue
Moving or talking more slowly
Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
Appetite and/or weight changes
Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment
Source: National Institute of Mental Health
According to the Mayo Clinic, “For many people with depression, symptoms usually are severe enough to cause noticeable problems in day-to-day activities, such as work, school, social activities and relationships with others.”
Thus, it is crucial to check for early signs of depression and discuss it immediately with your primary health care provider if you suspect that you may have depression. If left untreated, the depression may worsen to more severe levels and may have a significant impact on your work conditions or your social relationships.
Depression can have devastating impacts on one’s life and social life, so it is extremely important to discuss symptoms of depression and get help immediately if you suspect you have depression.