Recognizing the Signs of Depression

Christian Counseling Online is your resource for information like signs of depression and depression help as well as for all kinds of emotional and mental health information. We're glad you found us and hope we can be of some help to you...

Signs of Depression

Depression, like most mental illness runs the continuum of severity. It can be mild or major. It can last from weeks to months and it can involve anxiety symptoms as well. Some of the symptoms of depression are...

Sadness and/or loss of pleasure in nearly all activities.
Changes in appetite
Changes in sleep patterns
Changes in psychomotor activity (includes both mental and physical responsiveness and/or activity).
Struggles with feelings of low self worth
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.

In children and adolescents a sign of depression is often irritability rather than sadness. Also, some people may deny having feelings of sadness and rather report that they have no feelings at all. Another sign of depression is feeling numb...Knowing the symptoms however is not enough...

How do you get depression help?

First of all, never try to diagnose yourself or someone else...if you recognize that you or a loved one has symptoms of an emotional or mental problem get a professional diagnosis from someone who can help you.

Next, to determine what kind of depression help you or your loved one needs, it's important to look at how severely the person's functioning has been affected. If the level of functioning has been significantly impaired, i.e. they are having difficulty performing their daily routine, seek professional help immediately. If you need depression help and you're not sure who to contact, click here for a Christian Counselor in your area....

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5

A trip to the family doctor to confirm the signs of depression and to rule out any medical conditions contributing to the depression is a good place to start. Also, since stress can bring on depression and other emotional problems, take inventory of any significant life changes that have occurred over the last 6 months. Look at changes in circumstances, relationships, health, finances etc. Stressors can be exacerbate signs of depression...

If there are serious depression warning signs it's important to take action immediately...click here to learn more.

Relief is available for difficulties that plague our minds. It is truly the wise that seek out the help, wisdom and counsel of those whom God has equipped to facilitate the healing of the mind. For help in locating a counselor near you click here.

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