Am I Depressed?
It’s natural to feel blue now and then, but if feelings of hopelessness and despair persist for weeks or months at a time, you may be suffering from depression. Depression is more than just feeling unhappy about life’s difficulties and setbacks; it alters how you think, feels, and act on a regular basis. It can make it difficult to focus on tasks at hand, as well as to eat, sleep, and otherwise enjoy one’s life. Sometimes it feels like an insurmountable obstacle is standing in the way of you getting through the day.
While some people with depression report feeling like they’re “living in a black hole” or like the end of the world is near, others report feeling empty, hopeless, and numb. Anger and agitation are common feelings, especially in men. No matter how the issue manifests itself in your life, it should not be ignored because it might worsen to the point of being a dangerous health condition if left untreated. Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness are common depression symptoms, but they do not reflect reality.
There is always a chance for improvement, no matter how bad things seem right now. The first step in feeling better and overcoming depression is realizing that you have it.
Symptoms and Signs
Symptoms of depression might differ from person to person, but there are certain universal ones. Keep in mind that these signs and symptoms are sometimes just a part of the usual lows of life. Yet, the likelihood that you are coping with depression increases with the severity, frequency, and duration of your symptoms.
Also Read:
Ten Symptoms of Depression
- Negative emotions such as powerlessness and despair. A hopeless perspective; nothing will ever improve, and you have no control over the issue.
- Less enthusiasm for routine tasks. You no longer have any interest in your previous pastimes, social events, or sexual encounters. Happiness and satisfaction no longer register with you.
- Alterations in appetite or body mass. The loss or increase of more than 5% of one’s body weight in a single month.
- It’s not the same when you wake up. Oversleeping or insomnia, especially if it causes you to wake up early in the morning.
a state of annoyance or anger. Anxious, tense, and perhaps violent emotions. Because of your short temper and little tolerance, everything and everyone irritates you.
- Energy dissipation. Feeling physically tired, lethargic, and exhausted. Your entire body may feel weighed down, making even the simplest of tasks tiresome or time-consuming.
- Self-loathing. Intense self-loathing or remorse. You’re extremely hard on yourself because of your many flaws and blunders.
- Careless actions. You use substances, gamble excessively, drive carelessly, or partake in risky activities as a means of escaping reality.
- Issues focusing on specifics. Difficulty concentrating, deciding, or remembering.
- Irregular pains and discomforts with no clear cause. increased reports of bodily discomfort, especially in the form of aches and pains.
Check for Depression
How often have you been affected by each of the following issues over the past two weeks?
1) Having little enthusiasm for or interest in doing something
In no way (0 points)
Sometimes (1 point)
The greater part of the days (2 points)
That happens frequently, oftentimes daily (3 points)
2) A state of emotional low, depression, or despair
The answer is no (0 points)
Several days (1 point)
The greater part of the calendar (2 points)
Almost every day (3 points)
3) Issues getting to sleep, remaining asleep, or oversleeping
In no way, shape, or form (0 points)
Days at a Time (1 point)
The greater part of the calendar (2 points)
That happens frequently, oftentimes daily (3 points)
4) Low levels of energy or fatigue
The answer is no (0 points)
Sometimes (1 point)
The greater part of the calendar (2 points)
That happens frequently, oftentimes daily (3 points)
5) Disturbances in eating habits, either lack of or excess
The answer is no (0 points)
Sometimes (1 point)
The greater part of the calendar (2 points)
That happens frequently, oftentimes daily (3 points)
6) Negative self-evaluation, such as the belief that one has failed or disappointed oneself or one’s loved ones, can have a devastating effect on one
The answer is no (0 points)
Sometimes (1 point)
The greater part of the calendar (2 points)
That happens frequently, oftentimes daily (3 points)
7) Difficulty focusing on one activity at a time, such as reading or watching TV
The answer is no (0 points)
Sometimes (1 point)
The greater part of the calendar (2 points)
That happens frequently, oftentimes daily (3 points)
8) To the point where others could have picked up on your slowness, either in movement or speech
The answer is no (0 points)
Sometimes (1 point)
The greater part of the calendar (2 points)
That happens frequently, oftentimes daily (3 points)
9) Suicidal ideation or an urge to self-injure
The answer is no (0 points)
Sometimes (1 point)
The greater part of the calendar (2 points)
That happens frequently, oftentimes daily (3 points)
- Scores between 1 to 4 indicate low mood.
- Scores between 5 to 9 indicate mild depression.
- Scores between 10 to 14 indicate depressive symptoms
- Depressive symptoms are somewhat severe between the groups of 15 and 19.
- Depression of a severe or serious kind between the groups of 20 and 27.
