Depression symptoms

<h2> Symptoms of depression</h2><p>We hope the following information is useful in helping identify whether you or someone you know may be suffering depression.</p><p>If you are depressed, you may experience some of the following symptoms:</p><ul><li> tiredness and loss of energy</li><li> persistent sad, empty or anxious feelings</li><li> loss of confidence and self-esteem</li><li> feeling restless and agitated</li><li><span face="">not being able to enjoy things that are usually pleasurable or interesting, including sex</span></li><li><span face=""><span face="">feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness</span></span></li><li><span face=""><span face="">sleeping problems &ndash; insomnia, waking up much earlier than usual, or sleeping too much</span></span></li><li><span face=""><span face="">avoiding other people, sometimes even your close friends and family</span></span></li><li><span face=""><span face="">finding it hard to function at work/college/school</span></span></li><li><span face=""><span face="">overeating or appetite loss</span></span></li><li><span face=""><span face="">persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment</span></span></li><li><span face=""><span face="">thoughts about suicide and death.</span></span></li></ul><p><span face="">(Symptoms list from the National Institute of Mental Health)</span></p><p><span face="">If you have had five or more of the above symptoms for more than 2 weeks, you may want to discuss this with your GP. Generally the earlier you can recognise the symptoms of depression and make positive changes to counter it, the less likely it is to worsen. In basic terms, the longer it has been going on and the more symptoms you experience, then the more severe your depression. The less depressed you are, the less you may need to do to lift your mood. The more depressed you are, the more help you might need to do this and the longer it might take.</span></p><h2><strong><span face="">Depression and anxiety</span></strong></h2><p><span face="">Around half the people who suffer from depression also suffer from <a href="http://www.uncoveredmagazine.co.uk/psychology/anxietystress">anxiety</a></span><span face="">. If we are feeling down and lacking energy and confidence, things in general might become more difficult for us and lead to us becoming stressed and anxious. Equally, if we are feeling anxious about things and worrying a lot, then this can lead to us having doubts about our capacity to cope &ndash; which in turn can end up with us withdrawing from pleasurable situations that might have lifted our mood and boosted our confidence.</span></p><h2><strong><span face="">Symptoms in teenagers and young people</span></strong></h2><p><span face="">In young people and teenagers, depression may present as feelings of hopelessness or irritation with people and situations for weeks at a time &ndash; or longer. Teenagers are more likely to display symptoms of depression as irritability or anger at the world and those around them. Depressive symptoms may include moodiness, hostility, frustration or angry outbursts. (Some teens and young people, though, will be more clingy and dependent &ndash; the symptoms will vary from person to person, also depending on age and personal situation.) The risk is that the symptoms will be overlooked or taken as part of temperamental teenage behaviour or moodiness &ndash; rather than something more serious. </span></p><p><span face="">Depressed teens may be extremely sensitive to criticism, as they can be already experiencing feelings of worthlessness and low self-esteem. </span></p><p><span face="">Teenagers may also show physical symptoms of depression, such as unexplained aches and pains, headaches or stomach pains. Their social habits may change, as they no longer wish to hang out with their usual friends, and they may eat and sleep more or less than usual. However, depressed teens may not withdraw from all friends (as depressed adults do) but keep some close friendships. </span></p><p><span face="">They may also experience difficulty paying attention, not only in class but also when playing video games or watching TV. The majority will lose interest in academic work and show a decline in grades. </span></p><p><span face=""><span face="">Some young people dwell on and talk about death &ndash; this can be expected in those grieving the death of someone close, but can be a warning sign in the case of those not experiencing a loss.</span></span></p><h2><strong><span face="">Symptoms in the elderly</span></strong></h2><p>There is a link between getting older and depression - partly linked to a deteriorating ability to carry out routine tasks (helping older people to increase that ability can improve their mental health). Depression often coexists with physical symptoms in the elderly, such as stroke, Parkinson&rsquo;s disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.</p><p><span face="">Older people may show more cognitive symptoms of depression, such as forgetfulness or confusion. They may also experience more physical symptoms, such as fatigue or chronic pain and feel generally <a href="http://www.uncoveredmagazine.co.uk/psychology/anxietystress">anxious</a></span><span face="">. A loss of independence, such as moving from a house to a flat or retirement home, or giving up driving can be a trigger for depression. Other symptoms can include:</span></p><ul><li><span face="">unexplained or worsening aches and pains</span></li><li><span face="">demanding behaviour</span></li><li><span face="">memory difficulties</span></li><li><span face="">lack of interest in personal hygiene</span></li><li><span face="">missing meals</span></li><li><span face="">not taking medications. </span></li></ul><p><span face="">The elderly who suffer depression are less likely to seek treatment or help than younger people and are at particular risk of suicide. Family conflict, serious physical illness and a sense of loneliness and isolation appear to be risk factors for suicide for the over-75s suffering depression. </span></p><h2><span face=""><strong>Further help on depression</strong></span></h2><p><span face="">We hope you have found this information useful, please also see:</span></p><div><a href="http://www.uncoveredmagazine.co.uk/psychology/depression/what-depression.html">What is depression?</a></div><div><a href="http://www.uncoveredmagazine.co.uk/psychology/depression/signs-of-depression.html">Signs of depression</a></div><div><a href="http://www.uncoveredmagazine.co.uk/psychology/depression/treatment-of-depression.html">Dealing with depression - treatments</a></div><div><a href="http://www.uncoveredmagazine.co.uk/psychology/depression/types-of-depression.html">Types of Depression</a></div><div><a href="http://www.uncoveredmagazine.co.uk/psychology/depression/depression-types-of-talking-therapy.html">Depression talking therapies</a></div><div><a href="http://www.uncoveredmagazine.co.uk/psychology/depression/depression-medication.html">Depression medication</a></div><div><a href="http://www.uncoveredmagazine.co.uk/psychology/depression/depression-professional-services.html">Depression professional services</a></div><div><a href="http://www.uncoveredmagazine.co.uk/psychology/depression/depression-self-help.html">Depression self help</a></div><div><a href="http://www.uncoveredmagazine.co.uk/psychology/depression/depression-factors.html">Depression factors</a></div><div><a href="http://www.uncoveredmagazine.co.uk/psychology/depression/how-to-help-someone-with-depression.html">How to help someone with depression</a></div><div><a href="http://www.uncoveredmagazine.co.uk/psychology/depression/depression-help.html">Depression Help</a></div><div><a href="http://www.uncoveredmagazine.co.uk/psychology/depression/depression-finding-therapist.html">Finding a therapist</a></div><div>&nbsp;</div>