Learning to Recognize Clinical Depression
 
From the National Institute of Mental Health
 
Not everyone experiences clinical depression in the same way. Different people have different symptoms. See your doctor or a qualified mental health professional if you experience FIVE or more of these symptoms for longer than two weeks or if the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with your daily routine. A thorough physical examination to rule out other illnesses may be recommended.
 
Symptoms of clinical depression:
 
   A persistent sad, anxious or "empty" mood
   Sleeping too little or sleeping too much
   Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain
   Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
   Restlessness or irritability
   Persistent physical symptoms that don't respond to treatment [such as headaches, chronic pain, or constipation and other digestive disorders]
   Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
   Fatigue or loss of energy
   Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless
   Thoughts of death or suicide
 
Also see ~ Seasonal Affective Disorder and Holiday Depression and Stress
 
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