Depression is a term that we hear and use very commonly now days. If we fail our exam, lose our cell phone or have a fight with our parents then we can all feel “depressed”. However, this depression can be more appropriately described as sadness which is an unpleasant emotion.
Clinical depression shouldn’t be confused with sadness, since it is a mental illness. Therefore, if someone tells us they have clinical depression, then we shouldn’t dismiss it by comparing it with sadness, since depression is an illness. Symptoms of clinical depression include:
- Intense periods of grief or frequent crying spells
- Loss of interest in activities that previously seemed very engaging
- Extreme physical weakness or lethargy sometimes resulting in an ability to get out of bed
- Feelings of hopelessness for the future and lack of motivation
- Changes in appetite; can either significantly increase or decrease
- Changes in sleep habits; can either significantly increase or decrease
- Thoughts of suicide if the depression becomes too extreme and the sufferer doesn’t get the appropriate help
Clinical depression is one of the most common mental illness that people face. If you feel that you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms then learn more about managing mental illness, caring for sufferers or seek help.