Depression
Depression has a variety of symptoms, such as loss of energy, loss of interest in activities
and in life, sadness, loss of appetite and weight, difficulty concentrating, self-criticism, feelings of hopelessness, physical
complaints, withdrawal from other people, irritability, difficulty making decisions, and suicidal thinking. Most depressed
people feel anxious as well. They often feel worried, nauseated, dizzy and sometimes have hot and cold flashes, blurred
vision, racing heartbeat, and sweating.
It would be an unusual person who said that he never felt “depressed’.
Mood fluctuations are normal and help inform us something is missing in our lives and that we should consider changing things.
But clinical depression is much worse than simple fluctuations in mood. Clinical depression varies from mild to severe.
For example, some people complain of a few symptoms which occur some of the time. Other people may complain of a large
number of symptoms which are frequent, long lasting and quite disturbing.
|