How do you know if you are suffering from depression or just a broken heart?

Answer 1

Some people say that depression feels like a black curtain of despair coming down over their lives. Many people feel like they have no energy and can't concentrate. Others feel irritable all the time for no apparent reason. The symptoms vary from person to person, but if you feel "down" for more than two weeks, and these feelings are interfering with your daily life, you may be clinically depressed.

Major depressive disorder, commonly referred to as "depression," can severely disrupt your life, affecting your appetite, sleep, work, and relationships.

The symptoms that help a doctor identify depression include:

>constant feelings of sadness, irritability, or tension
>decreased interest or pleasure in usual activities or hobbies
loss of energy, feeling tired despite lack of activity
>a change in appetite, with significant weight loss or weight gain
>a change in sleeping patterns, such as difficulty sleeping, early >morning awakening, or sleeping too much
>restlessness or feeling slowed down
>decreased ability to make decisions or concentrate
>feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt
>thoughts of suicide or death

Causes of Depression
Depression has no single cause; often, it results from a combination of things. You may have no idea why depression has struck you.

Whatever its cause, depression is not just a state of mind. It is related to physical changes in the brain, and connected to an imbalance of a type of chemical that carries signals in your brain and nerves. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters.

Some of the more common factors involved in depression are:

Family history. Genetics play an important part in depression. It can run in families for generations.


Trauma and stress. Things like financial problems, the breakup of a relationship, or the death of a loved one can bring on depression. You can become depressed after changes in your life, like starting a new job, graduating from school, or getting married.


Pessimistic personality. People who have low self-esteem and a negative outlook are at higher risk of becoming depressed. These traits may actually be caused by low-level depression (called dysthymia).


Physical conditions. Serious medical conditions like heart disease, cancer, and HIV can contribute to depression, partly because of the physical weakness and stress they bring on. Depression can make medical conditions worse, since it weakens the immune system and can make pain harder to bear. In some cases, depression can be caused by medications used to treat medical conditions.


Other psychological disorders. Anxiety disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and (especially) substance abuse often appear along with depression.

So, being brokenhearted might lead to depression if you dont get over with it.

Answer 2

I think by the duration of time. I mean, you can't really put a time-table on a broken heart, but you should start to gradually feel better after a few weeks, even if you haven't entirely gotten over the hurt.

I think with a case of true clinical depression, you would probably feel so sad most of the time that it would begin to affect your academic or work performance and important relationships with family and friends. You may even tend to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol to get temporary relief but would end up feeling worse after the effects of the drug had worn off. You may even get dependent on the effects of chemicals to achieve the "high" and might need more and more just to feel "normal."

Probably the best thing for you to do would be to make an appointment with your family physician or internist and tell him/her about how you are really feeling.

Answer 3

When something bad happens, you are going to feel bad. If you didn't it wouldn't be normal. But you aren't going to feel bad forever. So if Joe breaks up with you, and your friends ask you to go bowling 2 days later but you say no cause you and Joe used to go bowling all the time, that's OK. But if they ask you 6 months later, and you are still saying no for the same reason, then you ought to start thinking that there's a problem here. The test of time is a pretty good one in these situations, and you ought to be feeling back to normal in a REASONABLE time, 3-6 months tops. If not, talk to someone about it because at that point you may need professional help for clinical depression.

Answer 4

It is depressing to have a broken heart. The good news is soon you will be in love again, and the cycle will start all over.

Answer 5

do not provide up - there is help and consistently wish. My panic assaults did not start up until my 20s, yet while i finished up interior the well-being center thrice over an prolonged weekend, and my physician had run each attempt he ought to, I agreed to verify a psychiatrist. first of all, it wasn't until my fourth cut back that i stumbled on somebody i in my view felt tender with, who i assumed rather became into helping me. you won't "click" with the 1st guy or woman you pass to. do not enable that end you! additionally, a mixture of psychotropics and scientific care works greater helpful than the two one on my own. A psychiatrist to manage and computer screen drugs - and you are going to be able to could attempt some issues. not each thing works for all of us. looking the dazzling psychotropic or combination could take some trial and mistake; returned, that is properly well worth the attempt. A therapist may well be greater approximately conversing and sharing in a secure place, greater many times than you will possibly see a psychiatrist. possibly some circumstances a week, possibly purely as quickly as a week. possibly for some months, possibly for some years. returned, make specific have confidence this guy or woman and experience they have your terrific pastime at heart, not basically seeking to bill you for a consultation. i've got been by using this. nonetheless pass by using it; that is going to likely be slightly bit an entire life conflict, i think of, yet i've got stumbled on some human beings who help me by using and that's one million circumstances greater helpful than it was. good success. There are people who can and could and prefer to help.

Answer 6

If u keep thinking that something related to the other person would ease your mind then u are suffering from a broken heart.
If you can't think of what would ease ur mind then you might have depression. It if persists, see a professional for advice.

Answer 7

I suppose depression could be triggered by a borken heart. If it doesn't end seek help.