Symptoms of Depression and What Increases Your Risk

Found this article in the internet today. I find it very informative and useful. Read on and see if you have the symptoms in you.

If you have depression, you may feel hopeless and sad or stop feeling pleasure from almost everything you do. You may feel “down in the dumps,” tearful, or discouraged. You may also be irritable or anxious or have low energy levels. The symptoms of depression are often subtle at first. It can be hard to recognize that symptoms may be connected and that you might have depression.

The two most significant symptoms of depression are:

Sadness or hopelessness.
Loss of interest in or pleasure from most daily activities.

Other symptoms include:

Losing or gaining weight because of changes in appetite.
Sleeping too much or not enough.
Feeling restless and unable to sit still, or feeling that moving takes a great effort.
Feeling tired all the time.
Feeling unworthy or guilty without an obvious reason.
Having problems concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Thinking often about death or suicide.

If you have at least five of these symptoms for 2 weeks or longer, and one of the symptoms is either sadness or loss of interest, you are diagnosed with major depression. But, if you have fewer than five symptoms, you may still be depressed and need treatment.

If you have 2 to 4 symptoms for a period of at least 2 years (1 year for a child), you may have a long–term form of depression called dysthymic disorder (dysthymia).

Many women experience mood changes before menstruation. Physical and emotional premenstrual symptoms that interfere with relationships or responsibilities are known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). However, women who have emotional and physical premenstrual symptoms that seriously interfere with daily life may have a type of depression known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). For more information see the topic Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).

Many health professionals see people with general symptoms that may be difficult to link to depression. These symptoms, which commonly occur with depression, include:

Having headaches and other body aches and pains.
Having digestive problems, including constipation or diarrhea.
Losing interest in sex or being unable to perform sexually.
Feeling anxious or worried without an obvious reason.
Blaming yourself or others for your depression.
Not moving or talking for hours.
Other symptoms of depression may include:

Overeating and weight gain (rather than loss of appetite).
Oversleeping (rather than insomnia).
Increased tearfulness, anger, and generally not feeling well, along with anxiety and tension.
Sometimes, a feeling of heaviness in the arms and legs.
Sensitivity to rejection.

Depression is a serious problem for people of any age, and older adults with symptoms of depression should seek treatment right away. Depression in older adults can cause confusion or forgetfulness (although some medications can cause these symptoms as well). Depression has also been identified as a significant risk factor for death in older adults with heart problems.

It is important to recognize the early warning signs of depression so that you can get treatment.

What Increases Your Risk

Several factors increase your risk for depression. Your risk of developing depression is up to three times greater than that of the general population if you have a father, mother, or sibling with depression. If you have had depression before, you are much more likely to have depression again.

Other risk factors for depression include:

A history of heart problems, such as coronary artery disease.
A serious, ongoing (chronic) illness, such as diabetes, cancer, or chronic pain.
Problems in your marriage.
Use of drugs or alcohol.
Use of certain medications that might trigger depression, such as steroids or narcotics for pain relief.
A stressful life event, such as losing a job or a loved one. This is especially true for older people who have many social stressors, such as becoming dependent upon others for care.
Certain medical conditions, such as anemia and thyroid disease.
Recent serious illness or surgery.
A childhood history of physical or sexual abuse.
Constantly worrying or being overly anxious.
An eating disorder or anxiety disorder.
Additional risk factors for depression in women include:

Recent childbirth. For more information, see the topic Postpartum Depression.
Use of birth control pills (oral contraceptives). However, for some women, birth control pills can improve mood.
A history of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (severe premenstrual syndrome, or PMS).


Author: Stuart J. Bryson Medical Review: Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine