Thousands of people suffer from depression and don’t even know it. Often their symptoms are only mild to moderate in severity over time, individuals learn to adapt to an unnecessary struggle with depression.
Major depression, is manifested by a combination of symptoms that interfere with a person’s ability to work study, sleep, eat and enjoy activities the person once thought were pleasurable.
These symptoms most likely won’t just go away and they can only get worse. With several of these traits below then it is suggested the person see physician or better yet a psychiatrist as soon as possible.
The need for case identification efforts arises from the under-diagnosis of major depression and other progressive disorders in primary care clinics.
Here are the more common symptoms of depression:
• Depressed Mood or emotional complaints
• Life complaints
- Inability to cope with marital or job stresses
- Social withdrawal or isolation
- Financial problems
• Increased Anxiety
• Increased Irritability
• Low Energy Level
• Restlessness
• Loss of Interest in Previously Enjoyed Activities
• Sleep Disturbance
- Initial Insomnia
- Frequent awakenings
- Increased need for sleep
- Feeling tired upon awakening
• Decreased or Increased Appetite
• Feelings of Worthlessness
• Difficulty Concentrating
• Racing Thoughts
• Intrusive Thoughts
• Feelings of Hopelessness and/or Helplessness
• Active or Passive Thoughts of Hurting Yourself and/or Someone Else
• Crying Spells
• Isolation from family and friends
• Weight loss
• Headache
Cases of major depression can be identified when the person report five or more of the nine items as occurring more than half the days or nearly every day, including report of either depressed mood or anhedonia (loss of pleasure in once pleasurable activities).
The proper treatment can typically provide fast relief. It is common to see improvement in two weeks and sometimes sooner.
Between 60% and 80% of individuals with major depression respond to either psychological or pharmacological treatments.
How to identify major depression
