what are the symptoms of depression?
463427
that's kind of a difficult question to answer, because the symptoms vary. (for example, sometimes people w/depression sleep all the time and have no appetite, and sometimes they have terrible insomnia and can't stop eating. feelings of hopelessness are generally always present though. \n\nfor dysthymia (mild depression) symptoms: http://www.psychologynet.org/dysth.html\nfor major depressive disorder: \nhttp://www.psychologynet.org/major.html\n\nthese are from the DSM, the standard diagnostic and statistical manual for mental disorders.\nif you're depressed, talk to someone. get some kind of help. trying to deal with it alone SUCKS.
465011
Well there are many.  Generally shock is not one of them unless tragety is associated with the depression.  But sone symptoms are:  numbness, feeling of despair, unable to eat, unable to sleep, headaches, crying, not wanting to get out of bed type of overall feeling.  Check-out the site I have listed for you.  Good Luck!  :)
1160309
It's easy to tell when a friend or person is i depression, get for the signs:\n\n-Sad look on face\n-Sluggish\n-Once active, now lazy\n-Doesn't work as much\n-Confussion\n-Appears to have lost emotions, apathy\n-Avoids others\n-Avoids social situations\n-confusion\n-Foggy mind\n-Tired\n-Lays around\n-Doesn't enjoy activities anymore\n-Mood change, high to low (Bipolar)\n-lack of energy\n-Doesn't remember well\n-Doesn't care\n-No motivation\n-Glassy eyes\n-Bad memory\n\nHave you talked to them about this?
100428
In major, or acute, depression, at least five of the symptoms listed below must occur for a period of at least two weeks, and they must represent a change from previous behavior or mood. Depressed mood or loss of interest must be present. \n\n1. Depressed mood on most days for most of each day. (Irritability may be prominent in children and adolescents.) \n\n2. Total or very noticeable loss of pleasure most of the time. \n\n3. Significant increases or decreases in appetite, weight, or both. \n\n4. Sleep disorders, either insomnia or excessive sleepiness, nearly every day. \n\n5. Feelings of agitation or a sense of intense slowness. \n\n6. Loss of energy and a daily sense of tiredness. \n\n7. Sense of guilt or worthlessness nearly all the time. \n\n8. Inability to concentrate occurring nearly every day. \n\n9. Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. \n\nIn addition, other criteria must be met: \n\nThe symptoms listed above should not follow or accompany manic episodes (such as in bipolar or other disorders). \n\nThey should impair important normal functions (such as work or personal relationships). \n\nThey are not caused by drugs, alcohol, or other substances. \n\nThey are not caused by normal grief. \n \nMajor depression usually last about twenty weeks. Between 30% and 40% of depressed patients experience sudden attacks of anger that they describe as uncharacteristic and inappropriate. \n\nSymptoms of depression in children may differ from those in adults. They may include: \n\nAn inability to enjoy favorite activities. \nPersistent sadness. \nIncreased irritability. \nComplaints of physical problems, such as headaches and stomach aches. \nPoor performance in school. \nPersistent boredom. \nLow energy. \nPoor concentration. \nChanges in eating or sleeping patterns or both. \nA greater tendency to bully others. (Anxious children are more often bullied). \n\nhttp://preventdisease.com/diseases/depression.html
863049
take these tests, it might be of some help.\nhttp://depression.about.com/cs/diagnosis/l/bldepscreenquiz.htm\nhttp://www.depression-screening.org/screeningtest/screeningtest.htm\nhttp://www.lessons4living.com/depression_test2.htm\nhttp://www.psychtests.com/tests/health/depression_access.html\ngoodluck!
946043
If you recognize some of the problems and symptoms of depression described below, it may be worth investigating whether you are depressed. If in doubt, consult your doctor. \n\nPsychological symptoms may be :\npersistent low/blue mood \nlow self-esteem More. \ntearfulness \nfeelings of guilt \nintolerance of others \npoor motivation \npoor interest \nlack of enjoyment \nirritability More \nhopelessness \nhelplessness \nsuicidal thoughts \nthoughts of harming someone else, such as a baby \nreduced sex drive \nfeeling worse first thing in the morning \nanxiety More. \nobsessional worries, acts, ruminations, or images \ndifficulty making decisions \nworries about a child \n\n\nPhysical symptoms include :\nslowed movement \ndisturbed sleep \nslowed speech \nchange in appetite (usually decreased but sometimes increased) \nchange in weight (usually a decrease but sometimes weight gain) \naches and pains \nlack of energy \nconstipation \nmenstrual disturbance \nlack of interest in sex \nmultiple physical symptoms
626917
These are specific diagnostic criteria for clinial depression.\n\nYou have had an episode of depression lasting at least two weeks with at least five of the following symptoms: \n(1) You are depressed, sad, blue, tearful. \n(2) You have lost interest or pleasure in things you previously liked to do. \n(3) Your appetite is much less or much greater than usual and you have lost or gained weight. \n(4) You have a lot of trouble sleeping or sleep too much. \n(5) You are so agitated, restless, or slowed down that others have begun to notice. \n(6) You are tired and have no energy. \n(7) You feel worthless or excessively guilty about things you have done or not done. \n(8) You have trouble concentrating, thinking clearly, or making decisions. \n(9) You feel you would be better off dead or have thoughts about killing yourself.\n\n**To be included these symptoms must be severe enough to upset your daily routine, to seriously impair your work, or to interfere with your relationships.\n\n**The depression must not have a specific cause like alcohol, drugs, medication side effect, or physical illness.\n\n**Your depression must not just a normal reaction to the death of a loved one.\n\nIf you meet thses criteria you are suffering from major depression and should seek the help of a professional
1073271
I've suffered from depression my whole life, while it hasnt been cured, it can certainly be managed with medications.  You can search depression on almost any site and get the answer to your question.  Usually, it starts with a depressed, or sad mood.  What is depression?\n\nDepression is a mood disorder that causes you to feel sad or hopeless for an extended period of time. More than just a bout of "the blues" or temporary feelings of grief or low energy, depression can have a significant impact on your enjoyment of life, your work, your health, and the people you care about. \n\nDepression affects people differently. Some feel down for extended periods of time; for others the feelings of depression come and go. If you have short episodes of mild depression, you may be able to continue to work and take care of daily activities. However, if you do not seek some form of treatment for your depression, you are at risk for getting more depressed or becoming physically ill. In severe cases, depression can cause people to become incapable of communicating, unable to do routine activities, or suicidal. In these cases, it is essential to seek medical attention.\n\nPeople with depression may be reluctant to seek help because they feel that it is a sign of personal weakness or a character flaw or that they should be able to "pull out of it" on their own. We now know that depression, like other medical conditions, has a chemical and biological basis. Treatment for depression is safe and usually effective even for severely depressed people.\n\nIf you think you may have depression, take a short quiz to evaluate your symptoms:\n\n'check out yahoo health for further info.  Don't give up.
742748
depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and effects people in different ways, many who are suffering from depression arent completely aware of it, but those close to them might be. if you have drastically changed your habits, are tired or sleepless, crying, or angry, you may be suffering from depression however i strongly suggest you see a doctor as there are many types of depression that only a doctor can diagnose. you could be mildly depressed, suicidal, bipolar, etc. GO SEE A DOCTOR!!!! you cant just snap out of it, or wish it away, you need to be diagnosed and treated before it gets out of control. remember you can still function, laugh etc while depressed so dont put it off!!!!!
364389
sleeping too much or too little. anger, agitation, anxiety. gaining or losing weight. feeling sad for no reason. don't like being around people. You have to see a therapist who will presecrive an antidepressant and give you therapy to help you get over it. i'm doing that now. good luck
143601
If it is depression, then it will not go away on its own! Depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain that causes one to feel all sorts of emotions: helplessness, feelings of no escape, feeling worthless etc. Your friend, however, may just have low self esteem or may be going through something that you are not aware of! In any case, maybe you chould take your friend aside and just tell him/her that you are worried and would like to help them in any way possible to get better! If they are depressed...most of the time they will be in denial as well, so it might not be easy for them to ask for help!
392113
There are all sorts of things that can cause depression. Major life change or loss, basic chemical imbalance, changes that come with age such as puberty and menopause. Depending on the core of your depression there are many different paths to take. You might choose to see a counselor or try meds. Changing your diet and a good detox can be really helpful. Sometimes it's as simple as getting more exercise. Best of luck to you!
1081815
Okay, not so sure what you're asking.  But feeling "sad" is a lot different from "depressed." You're definitely depressed, because you feel sad ALL THE TIME.  Sleeping a lot is another definite sign of clinical depression.  You need to get some help, it is not your fault, you aren't being selfish, it's just a chemical imbalance or something in your brain that meds can fix.
733656
The most common signs of depression are - a person sleeps too much.  Weight loss due to a lack of appetite, although some people gain weight because they're seeking comfort from food.  A person who is depressed will stay at home alot, not wanting to interact socially.  Crying over things that would normally not upset them.  Lack of energy.  Each person is different but should show at least some of these signs.  There are many different medications available today for depression.  I suggest you try to get your Mother to see a doctor since depression is totally treatable.
852974
In depression with psychotic features, a person's depression is accompanied by delusions or hallucinations. Often these are filled with self-hate or expectations of being punished. (Delusions are patently absurd or falsifiable thoughts; hallucinations are seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling or otherwise sensing things that are not there.) The primary issue is a depressed mood and the consequent symptoms (poor sleep, appetite, lack of pleasure, low-self-esteem, low sexual drive, suicidal ideation, difficulty concentrating, etc.). Like most depressions, a depressive episode with psychotic features is usually time-limited, and one can usually emerge from the episode to achieve full recovery. \n\nSchizophrenia is a more pure thought disorder that affects about 1% of the US population. It involves extremely disorganized thinking, delusions, hallucinations, social problems, difficulty maintaining employment, and generally poor overall functioning.\n\nSchizoaffective disorder is diagnosed when someone has schizophrenia but with a co-occurring depression or mania.\n\nMost people find that schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are much more long-lasting, usually life-long. The primary problem with both of them is the thought disorder.
76567
YES.\nIn the past, doctors believed that depression was the result of thoughts or emotions that were troubling for a person. More recently, experts realize that there can be several factors working together that will lead a person to become depressed. The three most important of these are biological, genetic, and environmental factors.
188104
Clinical depression is when you are depressed for no apparent reason, a chemical imbalance in the brain. If there has been an trauma in your life and it has taken a long time to get over it well then that's mild. If there has been no trauma and everything is fine ( no reason to be depressed) well then that could be more major. Medication may be help full yet they also create dependency which is another problem. Seeking counseling sometimes works well.