Clinical Depression Symptoms - The Behavioral Patterns Of Clinical Depression

Identifying Clinical Depression

The reason it is so difficult to diagnose a person suffering from clinical depression is because a person does not behave in an abnormal manner, like maintaining long silences or not getting ready for the day. In fact, the person may not know that they are depressed, and so it is even more difficult for doctors to pinpoint that a person is in fact suffering from depression.

The main focus that doctors rely upon is to identify the cause. The brain holds the key as it sends messages through neurotransmitters which are in turn controlled by chemicals like Serotonin and Dopamine. These chemicals need to be produced in certain quantities - when this doesn't happen, then the neurotransmitters cannot work. This produces a chain reaction which affects a person's thought processes and finally depression sets in. In order to treat a person successfully, it is important to find out behavioral patterns, both past and present. Maybe the person does not want to meet people socially which he was doing in the past.

There could also be physical symptoms like a rise in blood pressure or a weight change.

Feelings Of Hopelessness

Other symptoms can affect the mind leading to feelings of hopelessness. Dark and negative thoughts frequent the mind and this exhibits itself in a person's behavior. They feel that life is not worth living. Everything seems worthless and there seems no joy, and there is nothing worthy to anticipate. They dwell on the errors they have committed and seem incapable of leading a normal life. If you are experiencing any of these feelings, then you are probably going through a bad phase of depression, but there is always help for you.

Sometimes a person can behave in a manner that exhibits fear and worry by dissolving into tears or being overly anxious. They may not want to join in any group functions or attend parties, and even if they do, they tend to withdraw into themselves and remain aloof. Or they may refuse to be drawn into any topic as they prefer to be by themselves. Talking tires them, and they feel their energy being depleted.

There are times when clinical depression manifests itself in very obvious signs like mania, and this definitely requires immediate treatment. If it is not treated, it could only worsen the situation and be a cause for alarm. If your mind is filled with dark and negative thoughts, and you blame yourself for all your mistakes, and do not want to spend time with those who are close to you like your own kith and kin and other friends, and if your body has undergone a change - maybe weight loss or if you suddenly have a medical condition, then you should visit your physician who will refer you to the right doctor who can evaluate your needs and help you accordingly.