How to Recognize the Signs and Symptoms of Depression
Mental Health
This is the first article in a series on depression.
Depression is something I have struggled with for as long as I can remember. I come from a family with mental illness, including depression, on both sides. I am also someone who experienced child sexual abuse at a young age. I remember being abused as young as three, but I sense I was younger when it began. Both my genetic makeup and the trauma I experienced affected my brain. Depression is, after all, a brain disease.
Depression is a common affliction among Americans. In 2023, 29 percent of all people surveyed said they were diagnosed with depression at some point in their lifetime. I am one of the 29 percent. I currently take three antidepressants (one is for sleep).
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 defines depression as “a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest.” Diagnosis of depression requires the presence of at least five of these symptoms:
Depressed mood
Loss of interest/pleasure
Weight loss or gain
Insomnia or hypersomnia
Moving too slow or too fast
Fatigue
Feeling worthless
Decreased concentration
Thoughts of death/suicide
Types of Depression
Persistent Depressive Disorder is a mild or moderate depression. It lasts for at least two years. I have had many bouts of Major Depressive Disorder. I am currently on medication to treat Persistent Depressive Disorder. The best way I can explain the difference is that with MDD, I felt like a black cloud was over my mind. Anxiety would become extreme, and it would be hard to sleep. I had no appetite. I couldn’t function until it lifted. Before taking medication to treat PDD, I consistently felt sad but could function.
People with Bipolar Disorder suffer from alternating periods of major depression and mania (elation and increased activity. I had a grandparent on both sides of my family who had it. Symptoms of mania, according to the Mayo Clinic, include:
Being much more active, energetic, or agitated than usual.
Feeling a distorted sense of well-being or too self-confident.
Needing much less sleep than usual.
Being unusually talkative and talking fast.
Having racing thoughts or jumping quickly from one topic to another.
Being easy to distract.
Making poor decisions. For example, you may go on buying sprees, take sexual risks, or make foolish investments.
I had a grandparent on both sides of my family who had it. My paternal grandmother was on medication and stayed on it. My maternal grandfather never went on medication. Watching him suffer broke my heart. If you have experienced the symptoms mentioned in the previous paragraph, take this online test. It is free and confidential.
Seek Help For Depression
Not getting help for PDD led to bouts of MDD. I am glad I sought help three years ago. My life changed drastically for the better as a result. If you suspect you suffer from depression, take this online test. It is free and confidential.
I had a grandparent on both sides of my family with Bipolar Disorder. My paternal grandmother was on medication and stayed on it. My maternal grandfather never went on medication. Watching him suffer broke my heart. If you have experienced any symptoms mentioned in the previous paragraph, take this online test. Like the depression test, this one is free and confidential.
Once you take either or both tests, check out the American Psychiatric Association’s Psychiatrist Locator. Don’t suffer when you don’t have to do so.
You can receive a 20 percent discount on a paid subscription through May.
