Many of us experience moments or short stretches of life, colored by sadness or sadness, when we feel lonely and depressed. Such sensations are usually normal, and may periodically occur. They may be the result of the recent loss of a loved one, the presence of any unexpected difficulties in everyday life or in the workplace, or even a reaction to any insulting or offensive comment.
However, when the feeling of sadness and inability to cope with the situation takes hold of the individual so much that he cannot separate his own ability to live a normal and active life from his feelings, then perhaps the person has developed a serious depressive disorder, which is also known as clinical depression, unipolar depression or severe depression. Unofficially, this condition is defined as just depression.
Depression can have a serious negative impact on the patient’s life, according to experts, this effect can be quite comparable with the influence of a disease such as diabetes, as well as some other chronic medical conditions.
Depressive symptoms can vary significantly between people. Most often, people with depression feel hopelessness, sadness, sadness, lose interest in everyday things and the types of daily activity that previously brought them pleasure.
What are the differences between signs and symptoms?
A symptom is defined as something experienced directly by the patient, for example, it may be a headache; while the sign is defined as something that can be noticeable to others, for example, rashes on the skin.
Signs and symptoms associated with depression:
- Constant sadness or sad mood;
- Thoughts and feelings of lack of content;
- A feeling of hatred directed at oneself;
- Feeling of hopelessness;
- Feeling of helplessness;
- Irresistible desire to cry for no reason;
- Feeling of guilt;
- Irritability, when even the most trivial things act as stimuli;
- Unexpected bursts of rage;
- Intolerance in relation to people around;
- A constant feeling of doubt and inability to solve something;
- Inability to enjoy life;
- Thoughts on self-harm;
- Thoughts of committing suicide;
- Constant excitement;
- Constant concern.
Physical symptoms and signs of depression:
- The movement of the body can be slowed down in comparison with the usual speed of movements;
- Problems with concentration, in which the period of time necessary for concentration is reduced;
- Possible slowdown of speech compared to normal speed;
- Changing patterns of nutrition and appetite, as a rule, the patient loses his appetite and begins to lose body weight; however, some depressed patients may have increased appetite, resulting in weight gain;
- Lower sex drive;
- Energy deficit, general fatigue, in which even small and light types of activity are unpleasant tasks that do not cause a desire to perform them;
- Possible violations of the female menstrual cycle;
- A feeling of agitation, restlessness, in which the patient may have difficulty controlling with respect to the movements of his hands, for example;
- Unexplained headache, back pain, or digestive problems during the menstrual cycle;
- Sleep disorders, some patients have difficulty falling asleep or, conversely, getting up from sleep; some may wake up in the middle of the night and then cannot fall asleep. Studies have shown that more than 80% of patients with depression suffer from various manifestations of insomnia; hypersomnia, that is, excessive sleep, is also possible. It is worth noting that some drugs used to treat depression can cause insomnia.
Social signs and symptoms may include:
- Decrease in productivity and non-fulfillment of work duties;
- Decrease in academic successes at school;
- Avoidance of communication with friends;
- Fading interest in hobbies and familiar activities;
- The presence of family problems.
- With severe tearing depression, patients may also experience symptoms of psychosis, such as delirium or hallucinations.