Understanding DEPRESSION and ANXIETY

We can all feel sad or blue at some point in our lives, it's normal, and part of life. But when feelings of hopelessness and emptiness don't go away, it may be a sign of depression. Depression can cause you to lose interest in activities that you used to enjoy, you feel exhausted, and living

The following are some of the more common symptoms of depression:

1. You feel sad and in a depressed mood throughout the day. 
2. You have little interest in people or activities you used to enjoy.
3. You have significant, unintentional weight loss or gain.
4. You either sleep too much or have difficulty falling and staying asleep.
5.  You feel agitated and restless or like your body movements are slowed way down.
6. You feel tired a lot, despite adequate sleep, and have difficulty getting yourself motivated.
7. You feel guilty over events or things beyond your control.
8. You have difficulty concentrating or making decisions; often described as a sort of “brain fog”.
9. You have difficulty turning off your negative thoughts towards yourself or others.
10. You have feeling of low self-worth.
11. You have unexplained aches and pains in your body.
12. You have suicidal thoughts or feelings that life is not worth living. (Seek immediate help at a crisis center if you are having suicidal thoughts and feelings and think that you want to act upon them.)

 Depression can be chronic and last for years, or be related to recent losses, loneliness, a loss of social supports, a job loss, or underemployment.

  

MOOD ASSESSMENT SCALE
1. Are you basically satisfied with your life ?
2. Have you dropped many of your activities and interests ?
3. Do you feel that your life is empty ?
4. Do you often get bored ?
5. Are you hopeful about the future ?
6. Are you bothered by thoughts you can t get out of your head ?
7. Are you in good spirits most of the time ?
8. Are you afraid that something bad is going to happen to you ?
9. Do you feel happy most of the time ?
10. Do you often feel helpless ?
11. Do you often get restless and fidgety ?
12. Do you prefer to stay at home, rather than going out and doing new things ?
13. Do you frequently worry about the future ?
14. Do you feel you have more problems with memory than most ?
15 Do you think it is wonderful to be alive now ?
16 Do you often feel downhearted and blue ?
17 Do you feel pretty worthless the way you are novv
18 Do you worry a lot about the past ?
19 Do you find life very exciting ?
20 Is it hard for you to get started on new projects ?
21 Do you feel full of energy ?
22 Do you feel that your situation is hopeless ?
23 Do you think that most people are better off than you are ?
24 Do you frequently get upset over little things ?
25 Do you frequently feel like crying ?
26 Do you have trouble concentrating ?
27 Do you enjoy getting up in the morning ?
28 Do you prefer to avoid social gatherings ?
29 Is it easy for you to make decisions ?
30 Is your mind as clear as it used to be ?
This is the original scoring for the scale: One point for each of these ansvers. Cutoff: normal-0-9; mild depressives-10-19; severe depressives-20-30.
1. no 6. yes 11. yes 16. yes 21. no 26. yes
2. yes 7. no 12. yes 17. yes 22. yes 27. no
3. yes 8. yes 13. yes 18. yes 23. yes 28. yes
4. yes 9. no 14. yes 19. no 24. yes 29. no
5. no 10. yes 15. no 20. yes 25. yes 30. no

Copyright http://www.stanford.edu/~yesavage/GDS.html

Common signs and symptoms of depression

• Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. A bleak outlook—nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation.
• Loss of interest in daily activities. No interest in former hobbies, pastimes, social activities, or sex. You’ve lost your ability to feel joy and pleasure.
• Appetite or weight changes. Significant weight loss or weight gain—a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month.
• Sleep changes. Either insomnia, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping (also known as hypersomnia).
• Anger or irritability. Feeling agitated, restless, or even violent. Your tolerance level is low, your temper short, and everything and everyone gets on your nerves.
• Loss of energy. Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. Your whole body may feel heavy, and even small tasks are exhausting or take longer to complete.
• Self-loathing. Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. You harshly criticize yourself for perceived faults and mistakes.
• Reckless behavior. You engage in escapist behavior such as substance abuse, compulsive gambling, reckless driving, or dangerous sports.
• Concentration problems. Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.
• Unexplained aches and pains. An increase in physical complaints such as headaches, back pain, aching muscles, and stomach pain.

copyright http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_signs_types_diagnosis_treatment.htm