Signs and Depression Symptoms

Being sad for a few days, we often think we have depression symptoms, but it is not always true. First of all, it is a disease with mental and physical characteristics. You can say you really have it, if such condition lasts two weeks or more, but not two days. Different people have different signs and symptoms of depression. However, when we think of acedia and its signs we should remember some common depression symptoms. The first symptom is sleep changes. You can suffer from insomnia or oversleeping. The second one is feeling of hopelessness or helplessness. You think you can do nothing to improve a situation. The third one among depression symptoms is energy loss. Your body feels heavy and you cannot do even small and easy tasks. The fourth symptom is loss of interest. You are not interested in daily life at all. Significant changes in weight and appetite are the fifth symptom. It means your weight changes 5% or more within a month. You can also have problems with concentration. In this case, you can find yourself having memory problems. Mentioning depression symptoms, we should not forget about Irritability. It is the next symptom. You feel restless and nervous. You can also have strong feeling of guilt and criticize yourself for mistakes. And at last, unexpected pains and aches can appear. So, as you see, there are seven common depression symptoms.

Children suffering from this disorder can have nightmares and loss of appetite, excessive fear and anxiety as the most common symptoms of depression. They can also run away from home and have problems with discipline or learning at school uncharacteristic for them. In case of children, we also should not forget about above-listed common depression symptoms.

In turn, adults can abuse drugs and alcohol. Both adults and children can have serious behavior changes in case of this disorder. People suffering from it often have thoughts of suicide and self-harm.

Symptoms of depression can be divided into three categories. They are physical depression symptoms, psychological symptoms and social ones. Physical depression symptoms are slowed speech or movements, energy loss, unexpected pains and aches (headaches, bellyaches, backaches, joint aches, etc.), weight and appetite changes, sleep changes, retention of feces and menstrual period changes. Psychological depression symptoms are continuous sadness or low mood, self-depreciation, feeling of helplessness, easy crying, sense of guilt, thoughts of suicide, decreased sex drive, irritation, loss of interest in daily life, anxiety, fear of future, forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating. And at last, social depression symptoms are avoiding friends and social activity, isolation, staying in bed, difficulties in family and at work, reduced interests and hobbies.

Do not mix up this condition and grief. Grief is natural. In case of grief, people are still able to enjoy some things. Their sadness comes in waves. In case of acedia, feeling of sadness is constant. People enjoy nothing.

So, the stronger the depression symptoms are and the longer they last, the more you need medical help.

Not always above-listed depression symptoms are associated with this disorder. Chronic fatigue and body aches can be associated with fibro myalgia. In its turn, this disorder can be accompanied by acedia. Posttraumatic stress disorder and anxious disorder can also be accompanied by acedia. Only qualified health workers can make a diagnosis properly. So, if you think you have signs of some disorder, see your consulting physician, before taking any medicine. Otherwise, your health may go from bad to worse.