Do I Have Depression?

Do you think you have symptoms of depression? Have you lost interest in things you used to enjoy, or lost the zeal you used to have for life or suddenly adopted some dangerous lifestyle? If yes, it could be you have depression. But if it's depression, what type of depression? That is, are you suffering from major depression also known as clinical depression or a less serious form of depression?

Some types of the common depression are:

Major depressive disorder also known as major depression and clinical depression

Dysthymic disorder

Manic depression

Symptoms common to the above types of depression are:

Lost of interest in daily activities

Regular feelings of sadness

Regular feelings of helplessness and hopelessness

Feelings of worthlessness

Significant weight lost or weight gain as a result of your lack of eating or over eating.

Changes in sleep pattern.

Feeling restless and on edge all the time.

Easily agitated.

Regular feelings of lack of strength or energy. Feeling fatigue, sluggish and physically drained.

Finding it difficult to concentrate.

Regular feelings of aches and pain. Headaches, back pain, aches in the muscles and stomach pain.

Thoughts of death or suicide.

Having trouble making decisions.

If you are experiencing most of these symptoms consistently for at least two weeks, then you're suffering from clinical depression. But don't panic, clinical depression can be successfully treated with a combination of antidepressant and cognitive behavioral therapy.

If it turns out you may be suffering from depression, talk to your doctor about it, he or she will be able to direct you to a qualified doctor who will discuss with you effective treatment options.

What if it is Adjustment disorder or Situational Depression?

Adjustment disorder also known as situation depression is depressive symptoms developed in response to specific stressful situation or event. A depression that result due to a significant change in your life. If you have moods, try to remember the last events and think if they could cause your depression. This is the way used to determine whether a person is suffering from clinical or situational depression.

Often this type of depression doesn't need medicine and it's short lived, at most 6 months. You may overcome it without doing anything or simply my building your coping skills and/or talking through your feelings with a therapist.

To build your coping skills, find what makes you feel good about you and your life. Resist getting caught up with people's perception of you. Live your life and do what you want. Find what is going to make you happy regardless of any other factor and aim to achieve that for yourself. If you find it difficult to do it alone, get a therapist and do some soul searching.