Understanding Depression
Anxiety and Depression are real illnesses.
Occasional anxiety and Sadness is something we all experience. They are normal reactions to difficult times in life, and usually passes with a little time.
When a person has anxiety or depression, and it interferes with daily life and normal functioning, it can cause pain for both the person and those who care about him or her. These are real illnesses. It is not a sign of a person’s weakness or a character flaw. You can’t “snap out of” clinical anxiety or depression. Most people who experience depression need treatment to get better.
Depression:
Signs and Symptoms
Sadness is only a small part of depression. Some people with depression may not feel sadness at all. Depression has many other symptoms, including physical ones. If you have been experiencing any of the following signs and symptoms for at least 2 weeks, you may be suffering from depression:
- Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
- Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
- Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed down”
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
- Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
- Appetite and/or weight changes
- Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts
- Restlessness, irritability
- Persistent physical symptoms
For more information, visit the National Institute for Mental Health
Anxiety:
Signs and Symptoms
People with anxiety display excessive anxiety or worry for months and face several anxiety-related symptoms which may include:
- Restlessness or feeling wound-up or on edge
- Being easily fatigued
- Difficulty concentrating or having their minds go blank
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Difficulty controlling the worry
- Sleep problems (difficulty falling or staying asleep or restless, unsatisfying sleep)
You are not alone
We can evaluate and help you overcome depression.