Five Common Signs and Symptoms of Depression

Have you been feeling unhappy and withdrawn lately?  Are you concerned with your mental health?  Being unhappy doesn't necessarily mean that you a depressed, but it can indicate that you need to make some changes to your lifestyle.  Depression is associated with a prolonged, persistent negative emotion that can make your personality change, motivation crumble, and inspiration disappear.  At counseling in Orlando, you can learn how to cope with these negative emotions so that your lifestyle does not suffer.  There are a few signs and symptoms that can indicate you or a loved one may be battling depression.

Feeling Hopeless

Whenever you are feeling helpless or hopeless about everyday life, you could be suffering from depression.  Having a hopeless outlook may make you feel as though normal activities and responsibilities don't really matter, which can stunt your motivation.  This can result in becoming withdrawn or purposefully avoiding activities.

Expressing Self-Hate

Feeling worthless can also be a sign of depression.  If you have been feeling inappropriately-placed guilt about your choices or actions, you may want to seek professional help to combat these misplaced feelings.  This can lead you down a path of self-hate, which can be prolonged and cause detrimental effects on your esteem and confidence.

Feeling Fatigue or Having Difficulty Sleeping

Sleep problems are also commonly associated with depression.  This can look different depending on the individual.  Some people suffer from constant fatigue that makes even the simplest task difficult to accomplish.  Others suffer from insomnia or difficulty falling asleep.  Both of these can have negative effects on your life, from running late to work to weight loss/gain.

Becoming Easily Irritable

Are you set off by the smallest event or statement?  If you have been particularly sensitive and responsive to the actions of others or simply life events, you may be suffering from depression.  Irritability is a common sign that can cause a range of dangerous behaviors, like drinking or drug use, to combat these negative feelings.

Changing Your Diet

Another sign of depression is sudden or drastic changes in your appetite or diet.  This can go two ways.  Some people feel a loss of control and eat many foods that are poor in nutrition, and they often eat them in large quantities.  However, others may feel hopeless and instead eat much less than the required nutrition.  Both of these dietary changes can have lasting negative health effects that can lead toward eating disorders, diabetes, high cholesterol, or other digestive-related issues.

These are some of the most common signs and symptoms that can indicate you are battling depression.  Depression can be treated with medications and therapy.  At our premiere counseling in Orlando, we provide many of our clients with the right course of treatment and consultation to combat their depression.  Contact us to schedule an appointment with our professional counselors today.