We all know what depression is. Everyone has experienced a bout of depression at some point in life. It’s natural to be depressed for a while after the death of a loved one, a divorce, a job loss, or some other emotional trauma. Normally, however, after the initial blow, the depression gradually begins to wane, and the affected person begins to once again take an interest in life.

Clinical depression is different. It’s a serious condition that affects almost 18 million every year in the U.S. alone. This type of depression can last for weeks, months, or even years. In most cases, the exact cause is unknown. Doctors and other health care professionals, however, believe that clinical depression might be caused by an imbalance in the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Genetic factors may also play a role.

The symptoms of clinical depression might include any of the following:

Disinterest: You have little interest in activities that you once found enjoyable. You find yourself turning down offers and invitations to partake in activities. Even your favorite hobbies and pastimes hold little interest for you.

Sadness: You have an almost constant feeling of sadness, sometimes at an overwhelming level. You might have periods of crying.

Isolation: You avoid contact with friends – even close friends. You might even isolate yourself from family members. You prefer being alone much of the time. You don’t want to leave your home or interact with others. You could even be afraid to go out in public.

Lack of energy: You feel tired all the time – both physically and mentally. Sometimes you have to force yourself to get out of bed in the mornings. Even small, everyday tasks seem overwhelming, and personal responsibilities might be put off or ignored completely.

Mental confusion: You may find it difficult to think and to concentrate. You might have an especially hard time making decisions. It might be hard for you to recall information or to remember to do everyday tasks.

Excessive sleep: You may find yourself sleeping for longer-than-normal periods on a regular basis. It may seem that you just can’t get enough sleep.

Insomnia: You might find it difficult to fall asleep. Or you might fall asleep normally but have difficulty remaining asleep for more than a couple of hours.

Personal appearance: You may no longer care about your personal appearance. Some depressed individuals might go days without brushing or combing their hair, for example.

Loss of appetite: You may seldom feel hungry. Perhaps even your favorite foods do not seem appealing any longer.

Overeating: You may find yourself eating more than usual, subconsciously trying to make yourself feel better through food.

Feelings of guilt: You might have almost constant feelings of guilt for no apparent reason.

Headaches: You could be plagued by frequent or persistent headaches, or headaches that don’t respond to normal treatment methods.

Pain: Depression can elicit vague or mysterious body aches and pains for which there is no apparent cause.

Digestive problems: You might experience frequent upset stomach or stomachaches. You could also have bouts of constipation and diarrhea.

Emptiness: You may feel empty inside, or lost and unable to “find your way.”

Self esteem: Depression can make you feel worthless. You might feel as if you’re “not good enough.”

Irritability: You may feel unusually irritable. Perhaps you anger easily or for no real reason, even with loved ones.

Nervousness: You may feel worried or anxious for no reason. These feelings could be extreme and could manifest into crippling panic or anxiety attacks.

Suicide: You could have thoughts about suicide. At times, you may feel that death is your only way out.

If you’re suffering from clinical depression, you could experience any of these symptoms or a combination of symptoms. You might even have other symptoms – depression affects each person differently. Don’t suffer needlessly. Get help, and begin to put your life back together.

There are several treatment options available for depression. You and your health care provider can decide which is best for your unique case.

To read more about depression and anxiety, click on the article links below.