Are You Depressed? Ten Symptoms That Say Yes

It is true that depression does not discriminate. It affects people of all races and all ages and does not care if its target is male or female. If you are concerned that depression has crept into your life, you should be aware of some of the illnesses' symptoms so that you can seek appropriate care as soon as possible.

To begin with, it is imperative that you recognize the difference between merely being bummed out and being depressed. Everyone gets a little sad at times, but this sadness usually ends with a few hours or a couple of days. Depression usually lasts much longer, and it can become so all-consuming that it can severely disrupt a person's daily life.

While depression affects people in different ways, ten of the most commonly observed symptoms are listed below.

• Restlessness. People who suffer from depression are often anxious, restless, and irritable for no apparent reason. Even they themselves are often shocked by this unexplained behavior.

• Constant Sadness. Even when life should be considered perfect, people who suffer from depression still feel sad and unhappy. The fact they don't understand their own misery makes them even more frustrated.

• Hopelessness. Depressed persons only hear the thunder and see the rain. They are unable to see the rainbow that comes afterwards even when it's right in front of their faces.

• Lack of Interest in Favorites. When you are depressed, things which used to be enjoyable seem to lack their luster. Basically, everything sucks.

• Dislike of Oneself. Depressed people tend to feel worthless. They don't feel as though anything they do matters, and they doubt their ability to perform even the simplest tasks.

• Exhaustion. Individuals who constantly battle depression are generally exhausted. They rarely have the energy to do much of anything besides side around or rest in bed.

• Difficulty Focusing. Depression tends to interrupt a person's ability to concentrate and focus. They may forget even the smallest of details and have trouble processing the tiniest tasks.

• Sleeping Issues. Some depressed people sleep constantly, and some depressed people rarely sleep at all. It depends on the person. Either way, when it comes to sleeping, doing too much or not enough is a bad thing.

• Weight Gain or Weight Loss. The same fact applies to the subject of appetite. Overeating is common among depressed persons but so is not eating enough. In this case, depression may even manifest itself into an eating disorder.

• Suicidal Thoughts. People who suffer from severe depression may have suicidal thoughts and often concoct "what if" scenarios.

If any of these symptoms seem a little too familiar, consult your physician or another health professional as soon as possible. You do not have to diagnose yourself, and you do not have to be ashamed. You are not alone; nearly 19 million Americans suffer from depression.