Depression is a serious illness that affects body, mind, and spirit. The two most common symptoms of depression are:
- Loss of interest in normal daily activities.
- Depressed mood (sad, helpless or hopeless, likely with crying spells)
For a clinical diagnosis of depression, most of the following signs and symptoms also must be present for at least two weeks.
- Sleep disturbances
- Impaired thinking or concentration
- Changes in weight
- Agitation(restlessness, irritability, easily annoyed)
- Fatigue or slowing of body movements
- Low self-esteem
- Less interest in sex
- Thoughts of death, dying or suicide
Depression can also cause a wide variety of physical complaints, such as:
- gastrointestinal problems (indigestion, constipation or diarrhea)
- headache
- backache
Many people with depression also have symptoms of anxiety.
Depression in children, teens and older adults may may take different forms or may be masked by other conditions.
Kids may:
- Pretend to be sick
- Worry that a parent is going to die
- Perform poorly in school
- Refuse to go to school, or
- Exhibit behavioral problems
Older people:
- May be more willing to discuss the physical manifestations of depression, instead of their emotional difficulties.
Types of Depression
The main types of depression include the following (for details about each type, please follow the link below):
- Major depression
- Dysthymia
- Adjustment disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Seasonal affective disorder
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