Signs and Symptoms of Depression

Feeling sad or blue from time to time does not mean that you are depressed. It just means that your life is like any other human life; which consists of a cycle when you feel great cycle and when you feel not so great.

On the other hand, if you are depressed, you are overwhelmed with a feeling of helplessness dark, hopeless, and worthless. This feeling is often accompanied by a sense of guilt and shame. You feel like a black cloud continues hovering over your head.

Women of all origins twice more prone to depression than men. According to the National Mental Health Association, approximately one out of every eight women will experience depression at some point during their lives.

Being an African-American woman suffering from depression even more difficult, because people impose the role of 'Strong Black Woman' on African-American women. So many African-American women tend to hide their depression and try to lead a normal, everyday life. However, this is not possible (or very difficult), because depression affects every area of life. This can affect your social life, relationships, career, and a sense of pride and purpose.

To determine whether depression prevents you from everyday life fulfilled, answer the following questions.

1. Are you depressed?
2. Consider and answer the following questions honestly:
3. Are you having trouble sleeping at night?
4. Do you sleep too much and have difficulty waking up in the morning?
5. Is it difficult for you to concentrate?
6. Do you find that previously easy tasks are now difficult to handle?
7. Do you often feel hopeless and helpless?
8. Are you overwhelmed with negative thoughts that you can not control no matter how much you try?
9. Have you lost your appetite?
10. Are you overeating or can not stop eating?
11. Do you have thoughts of suicide or recurrent thoughts of death (seek help immediately if this happens!)?

If you answered yes to some questions, you may be suffering from clinical depression. The next step for you is to seek professional help.

Signs and symptoms of depression

Here follows a list of signs and symptoms of depression:

Feeling helpless and hopeless. There does not seem to be getting better; You are out of control, and there's nothing you can do to improve your situation.

Loss of interest in daily activities. You do not feel joy and pleasure in doing things that you once enjoyed, such as hobbies, entertainment, social activities, or sex.

Significant weight loss or weight gain. Appetite has changed, and you have gained or lost more than 5% of body weight in a month.

Changes in sleep patterns. You also suffer from insomnia or oversleeping (hypersomnia).
Energy loss. You often feel tired, lethargic, and physically drained. Your whole body may feel heavy, and even small tasks exhausting or take longer to complete.

Feelings of self-loathing and self-loathing. Strong feelings of worthlessness, shame or guilt. You harshly criticize yourself (and others); You only see the errors and mistakes.

Reckless behavior. You engage in escapist behaviors, such as substance abuse, compulsive gambling, reckless driving, or a dangerous sport.

Impaired concentration. You often have trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.
Feel aches and pains are described. At the physical level, depression can appear headaches often, back pain, muscle pain, and abdominal pain.

Now, you are familiar with the signs and symptoms of depression. If you think you may be depressed, take the first step and seek help. The first step is the most difficult to take, but it was worth it.