Depression is a clinical disorder that is very treatable. It is more than feeling sad for a short period of time and can increase feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness for days, weeks or months at a time. Clinical depression also keeps you from living your life the way that you used to before you became depressed. There’s no cure for depression, but your symptoms may go away over time and you may become stable again with treatment and medical care.

Depression Symptoms

Depression symptoms include:

• Your mood is depressed for most of the day, especially in the morning.
• You feel tired or have a lack of energy almost every day.
• You feel worthless or guilty most every day.
• You feel hopeless or pessimistic.
• You have a hard time focusing, remembering details, and making decisions.
• You can’t sleep, or you sleep too much, almost every day.
• You have almost no interest or pleasure in many activities nearly every day.
• You think often about death or suicide.
• You feel restless or slowed down.
• You’ve lost or gained weight.

You may also:

• feel cranky and restless
• lose pleasure in life
• over eat or stop feeling hungry
• have aches, pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that don’t go away or get better with treatment
• have sad, anxious, or empty feelings. (WedMD)

Not everyone experiences all of these symptoms and some people may experience other ones not listed.

Depression and Suicide

You should take anyone who thinks or talks about hurting themselves very seriously. In the US call 800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433); 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255); for hearing impaired, call 800-799-4889. Or you can contact a mental health professional. If you intend to or have a plan to attempt suicide, go to the emergency room immediately.

Do you identify with any of the symptoms of depression? If so, please talk with your doctor or mental health professional about them right away.