How do you know when you re suffering with depression? &.........?

Question

What would you do to overcome it?

Answer 1

When I am depressed, I feel very tired, the simplest things seem overwhelming, and I have trouble making decisions. My solution has been to take the medication my doctor prescribes and to try to stay busy. Some people find socializing to be helpful. If you think you are depressed, I suggest you see a psychiatrist to be diagnosed. Many people who are diagnosed with depression by family doctors actually have bipolar disorder which is similar, but treated differently. Once you have a correct diagnosis and a medication that works from the psychiatrist, your family doctor can continue to prescribe the medication for you.

Good Luck.

Answer 2

ALTHOUGH it is often classed as 'mental illness', clinical depression often has as many physical symptoms as mental. The feelings or emotions that are depression symptoms actually begin to cause the physical effects. How this happens is a vital part of understanding depression and the symptoms that come with it.

If you are depressed at the moment some of the following symptoms may sound familiar:

You feel miserable and sad.
You feel exhausted a lot of the time with no energy .
You feel as if even the smallest tasks are sometimes impossible.
You seldom enjoy the things that you used to enjoy-you may be off sex or food or may 'comfort eat' to excess.
You feel very anxious sometimes.
You don't want to see people or are scared to be left alone. Social activity may feel hard or impossible.
You find it difficult to think clearly.
You feel like a failure and/or feel guilty a lot of the time.
You feel a burden to others.
You sometimes feel that life isn't worth living.
You can see no future. There is a loss of hope. You feel all you've ever done is make mistakes and that's all that you ever will do.
You feel irritable or angry more than usual.
You feel you have no confidence.
You spend a lot of time thinking about what has gone wrong, what will go wrong or what is wrong about yourself as a person. You may also feel guilty sometimes about being critical of others (or even thinking critically about them).
You feel that life is unfair.
You have difficulty sleeping or wake up very early in the morning and can't sleep again. You seem to dream all night long and sometimes have disturbing dreams.
You feel that life has/is 'passing you by.'
You may have physical aches and pains which appear to have no physical cause, such as back pain.

If you have this condition, seek medical help.

Answer 3

There are many different symptoms of depression, some of the more common ones are:

Difficulty sleeping / sleeping more than usual
Increased / decreased appetite
Less energy than usual
Feelings of sadness / hopelessness
Poor self-image
Difficulty concentrating
Thoughts of suicide

However the only person qualified to assess whether you are depressed is a doctor, go and see yours right away. The treatments are usually medication with anti-depressants or counselling. I usually find a combination of the two most helpful. Modern anti-depressants are usually non-addictive and can really help.

Counselling is more long term but is also very useful in working out why you are feeling like you are. A counsellor will not give you advice or tell you what to do, but will help you find your own answers to how you are feeling.

Answer 4

It runs in my family, so I take a prescription daily to help me. I can't say how to diagnose yourself, but there are questions and answer sheets your doctor can have you fill out that helps them to determine if you are depressed. In my experience, if I cannot find joy in my life, if my mind will not stop thinking about the bad and can't focus on the good, this is a sign. If you cry a few times a week or feel to tired to fight it and live life, then you may be suffering symptoms of depression. Best to talk to the doc.

Answer 5

Years ago i used to look after a man in his 50s with depression. He always felt life was pointless and seemed powerless to do anything about his sadness. He drank strong beer for most of the day and watched telly. He regularly sort medical advice, but just seemed to carry on a sort of inactive uninterested existence. I think often people who suffer from this debilitating illness need intervention from others. Medical advice and perhaps herbs under medical advice. Seek out counselling perhaps? THIS IS A REALLY HARD QUESTION

Answer 6

If you are questioning whether you have depression or not then that would indicate that you are worried about it and may be suffering from it. We all get low days but if you think you may be depressed then you may be heading that way. I would personally seek doctors advice and nip these feelings in the bud whilst you are still thinking rationally enough to question yourself. Good luck

Answer 7

You know your deppressed when stuff you enjoy doing doesn't seem to intrest you..and You feel tired alot and it seems that it don't matter how funny something is it don't seem to make you be able to laff or smile..

You should see a Doc about it,and talk with somone you trust about what is making you depressed thats the only way to overcome it.

Answer 8

I am not a doctor-but the general signs of depression are:
a lack of interest in the things you used to enjoy
feelings of hopelessness
always tired-no energy
decrease in appetite.
As far as how to overcome it-seek professional help.

Answer 9

look at the symptoms, lack of sleep, too much sleep, eating too little or too much, having crying spells for no reason, going from a major high to a major low suddenly for no reason, feeling suicidal or doing self harm, isolating yourself from your family / friends.

you could talk to your GP or see a councilor, think positive and don't give up hope for help. But help wont come to you, you have to find it as i've experienced myself because i suffer from depression and sitting in your room all day or being sad all day isn't the way life is ment to be.

Answer 10

Every day chores become insurmountable and everything is just too much for you to tackle. you become antisocial, unable to cope with everyday life. Some people neglect themselves/family.
Once you have realised, or your family tells you, that is the time to seek an appointment with your GP. He/she will refer you to either a councillor or the Mental Health Team. There is a lot of help out there. Just ask your GP. Good Luck.