Depressed or Just Unhappy?
by Samantha
Weaver
zone3
Am I depressed or just unhappy? A difficult question you may think, but
it is my opinion that a depressed person knows when they are depressed and
a sad person knows when they are sad.
It is perfectly human to experience the feelings of sadness. There is
not one person on this planet who will live their life and not experience
sadness. Sadness is a natural reaction to a painful circumstance.
Depression on the other hand is more extreme, a clinical illness which has
many more symptoms than general sadness and can, if not treated lead to
suicide.
A person experiencing feelings which upsets them can logically
distinguish what it is that is causing the unhappiness. Whereas a person
suffering depression can not necessarily do so. As a person suffering
sadness would know, their feelings will begin to heal over a period of
time, this person is dealing with their pain and know that it will get
better over time. Whereas a person suffering depression tends to get worse
and see that they are feeling sad more-or-less all the time with little or
not let-up.
Depression can last for weeks, months and for some years. It is not
something that a person can merely ‘snap out of’, much as they wish that
they could – it is impossible. The feelings involved are intense and
overwhelming and believe me; no-one wants to be contemplating taking their
own life.
Generally, if a person has had a loss of interest in ‘life’ in their
daily activities, job, relationship or socialising for more than approx 2
weeks and their mood is out of character for them, then the doctor could
potentially diagnose depression.
Some of the main symptom of depression are:-
1. Tiredness/lethargy or inability to sleep (insomnia)
2. Loss of
interest in social activities and sexual relations
3. Recurrent
thoughts of death and/or suicide
4. Lack of self worth and
inappropriate guilt
5. Significant weight changes
6. Inability to
concentrate
Seeing your GP should be the first port of call, however screening
tests are available and there are a range of them available on the
internet.
Author reserves all rights to this work
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Samantha Weaver is the Author of 'Saving Samantha: A Young Woman's
Escape from Childhood Hell' due for release 17/04/2006. Samantha also
works in Medical Information and has recently enrolled with the Institue
of Counsellors. Find out more about her read here.
Depression Related Articles:
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Depression: A Treatable Illness
8 Things You Can Do For Someone Suffering from Depression
Anxiety and Depression Treatment - 5 Tips for Beating Depression
Midlife: Single & Depressed? Try Dancing
How to Cope With Stress and Anxiety
Omega 3 EPA: Nature’s Very Own Anti-Depressant
Stop Your Destructive Inner Voice
The Scoop on Stress
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