Depression - symptoms and treatment

The symptoms of depression are often subtle at first. It can be hard to recognize that symptoms may be connected and that you might have depression. If you have depression, you may feel hopeless and sad or stop feeling pleasure from almost everything you do. You may feel down in the dumps, tearful, or discouraged. You may also be irritable or anxious or have low energy levels.

Don't ignore the symptoms. The two most significant symptoms of depression - sadness or hopelessness and loss of interest in or pleasure from most daily activities.

Other symptoms of depression:

* Sleeping too much or not enough.
* Losing or gaining weight because of changes in appetite.
* Feeling tired all the time.
* Feeling restless and unable to sit still, or feeling that moving takes a great effort.
* Having problems concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
* Feeling unworthy or guilty without an obvious reason.
* Thinking often about death or suicide.

If you have 2 to 4 symptoms for a period of at least 2 years (1 year for a child), you may have a long-term form of depression called dysthymic disorder (dysthymia). If you have at least five of these symptoms for 2 weeks or longer, and one of the symptoms is either sadness or loss of interest, you may be diagnosed with major depression that needs treatment. Even if you have fewer than five symptoms, you may still be depressed and need treatment. (For more information click on the top link).