It is not uncommon to have some days where you just feel down, for reasons you can recognize, and even sometimes when it feels there is no reason at all. Therefore, it is normal to experience a “down” mood from time to time. However, if you experience one or more of the following symptoms with some consistency, you may have a diagnosis of depression that should be treated.
· Depressed mood for most of the day, or a sense of despair
· Frequent irritability; cranky or critical mood; impatience
· Decrease in appetite and weight loss OR
· Excessive appetite and weight gain
· Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or early-morning awakening OR
· Excessive sleeping
· Bodily aches and pains
· Feeling slowed down, low energy, speaking low or slowly
· Feeling agitated, with observable pacing and physical
restlessness
· Tension
· Feeling under the weather, being preoccupied with your
health
· Loss of interest in pleasurable activities
· Inability to enjoy usual hobbies and activities
· Fatigue; feeling a lack of energy; tiring easily
· Lack of motivation
· Decreased sex drive
· Feeling pessimistic, hopeless, helpless
· Your future does not seem as important or meaningful
· Feelings of worthlessness or uselessness
· Excessive or inappropriate guilt
· Lack of confidence and low self-esteem
· Inability to study, difficulty with concentration at work
· Poor attention while reading, not being able to focus
· A sense of memory impairment
When a family member is depressed, his or her illness affects every other member. Seeing a loved on in pain is always difficult, and being with someone who is depressed is stressful. However, caregivers and family members can have an impact on how people cope with and recover from depression by understanding their illness and providing empathy and support.
Seek advice and consultation as soon as possible from a licensed psychologist or other mental health professional, especially if symptoms are severe, prolonged, debilitating, unexplained, or unusual. It may be important to seek medical advice if you have a health condition as certain prescription medications as well as health conditions can contribute to depression.
Try to keep to a regular routine in terms of sleep, diet, and activity level. Avoid sleeping or napping during the day if it is difficult to sleep during regular hours. Irregular sleep patterns can exacerbate symptoms of depression.
Stay involved and avoid extended isolation from positive activities and influences. Seek connections with others and find social outlets with friends, family, and neighbors.
Maintain regular or routine physical activity that is appropriate for any existing medical condition. Physical activity can help relieve or manage depression.
Spend time with people who are caring, listen well and can be understanding.
Do it anyway even if you “don’t feel like it”. In other words, “fake it till you make it.” Sometimes getting relief from depression requires active effort.