Depression can happen to anyone and can significantly affect ones ability to enjoy life!
Major depressive disorder, or clinical depression, is different than normal sadness. It’s constant, lasts at least 2 weeks, and can affect all aspects of your life. Stressful life events, can trigger depression. But it’s possible to have depression-like symptoms without having a mood disorder. It’s important to know what symptoms to look for.
To have clinical depression, you need to have several of the following:
- Ongoing sadness or worry
- An “empty” feeling
- Irritability
- Tiredness
- General feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- No hope for the future
- Less interest in things you used to like
- Appetite changes
- Sleep problems
- Trouble thinking clearly or making decisions
- Slow moving or talking
- Restlessness
- Headache
- Body pain or stomach problems
- Thoughts of death or suicide
