DEPRESSION
Depression
Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities. It can also cause physical symptoms such as changes in appetite and sleep patterns, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.
Symptoms:
- Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness
- Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
- Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports
- Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
- Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort
- Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain
- Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
- Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame
- Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
- Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide
- Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD):
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mental disorder characterized by pervasive low mood, low self-esteem, and loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities.
- Effects
- Signs
- Symptoms
Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects:
- Person’s family and personal relationships
- Work or school life
- Sleeping and eating habits
- General health
People having major depressive disorder usually:
- Exhibits a low mood and an inability to experience pleasure in previously enjoyable activities.
- Are preoccupied with or ruminate over thoughts and feelings of worthlessness, inappropriate guilt or regret, helplessness or hopelessness.
Symptoms of depression especially for major depressive disorder include:
- Poor concentration and memory
- Withdrawal from social situations and activities
- Reduced sex drive
- irritability, and thoughts of death or suicide.
- Insomnia is common; in the typical pattern, a person wakes very early and cannot get back to sleep.
- Hypersomnia, or oversleeping, can also happen.
A depressed person may report multiple physical symptoms such as:
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Digestive problems (appetite often decreases, resulting in weight loss, although increased appetite and weight gain occasionally occur).
Older depressed people may have cognitive symptoms of recent onset, such as forgetfulness, and a more noticeable slowing of movements.
