Am I Suffering From Depression

Do you suffer from mood swings and crying bouts? Do you want to sleep all day and not leave the house? Have you ever found yourself asking he question, "am I suffering from depression?" If you have reached this point, then you are well on your way to conquering this common mental illness. Depression has different causes and contributing factors; some people may be more susceptible to it due to a family history or due to significant life events. There is no cure for depression, but there are many reliable treatments available that have proven to be successful in keeping symptoms at bay. There are also several self-help resources available on the internet that discuss various causes, the most common symptoms, diagnosis criteria, and various treatment options for different types of depression.

"Am I suffering from depression?" The most common signs of depression are not enjoying favorite hobbies or activities anymore, viewing the future as hopeless, feeling helpless, having difficulty concentrating or reading, feeling agitated, restless, sad or unhappy, having difficulty making decisions, feeling guilty, expending great effort to do simple things, feeling fatigued, unable to eat or overeating, lost or gained weight, not sleeping enough or too much, having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, and losing interest in what used to be important. All of these are significant signs and symptoms of depression, and they appear in varying degrees. Depression is a chronic illness that will never completely go away, but with an optimistic approach and comprehensive treatment, the symptoms can be decreased significantly if not permanently erased.

Learning how to deal with depression and change life’s outlook often involves more than a simple diagnosis and medication. There are all natural products that have been shown to be effective in cases of mild depression, like St. John's wart, but in cases of more severe symptoms, a complete evaluation by a psychiatrist and/or psychotherapist is recommended. If you have asked yourself even once, "am I suffering from depression?" then you should seek professional advice. There are quite a few sites online that are great sources for free screening tests that evaluate your symptoms and what they could indicate, but this doesn’t replace a professional evaluation. You may not have depression at all, or you could have a combination disorder like depression and anxiety or bipolar disorder. A qualified experienced mental health professional is the best source for proper diagnosis and treatment, and remember that not all treatments work the same for everyone. We are all unique individuals after all, and depression creates a different challenge for every person it afflicts. And it's not a death sentence either; it's just a temporary roadblock.