Am I Depressed? Identify Common Symptoms of Depression

Am I depressed? Life is punctuated by periods of intensely happy moments and intensely sad ones. Depression however is a serious and globally recognized neurological disorder that affects hundreds of millions. According to the World Health Organization, 280 million people suffer from depression worldwide, which is 5% of all adults. These are staggering statistics that underscore how widespread depression is. However, experiencing periods of prolonged sadness, grief, and other physical symptoms can signal depression. 

What is depression? 

Major depressive disorder, also known as clinical depression, is characterized by a low mood, loss of energy, changes in diet, lack of interest in socialization or work, and changes in sleep patterns, among other symptoms. Some of the risk factors of a major depressive episode include genetics, traumatic episodes/episodes in personal history, substance abuse, and other mental health disorders. When left untreated, depression affects your physical and emotional well-being and can impact your personal relationships and professional performance. 

An estimated 60% of people who have depression do not seek medical support. However, depression is highly treatable. With support from a mental health professional and proper implementation of a patient-centered plan, individuals can see a big difference in symptoms. Our job as mental health professionals is to first educate our community about what depression is and when to seek help. 

What is “Normal”? 

This is a very loaded question, and we can assure you that “normal” is different from being unhappy, and very different from depressed. Symptoms of depression can mimic other mental disorders or physical conditions and normal unhappiness or grief. There are physical and emotional symptoms that are culprits of confusion. 

First, physically, some conditions like anemia, which is a lack of red blood cells, can mimic symptoms of depression such as persistent fatigue. Other physical conditions whose symptoms mimic depression are hypothyroidism, hypercalcemia, and fibromyalgia. At Apogee Behavioral Medicine, we run physical screenings as part of our evaluations to rule out these types of conditions. Second, are overlapping conditions. When periods of feeling emotionally and energetically low are followed by heightened feelings of energy and hyperness, this could signal bipolar disorder. Anxiety is often experienced alongside depression and can trigger a depressive episode. 

We experience different moods throughout the days and different moods through the natural cycles of life, so at what point does this become clinical depression? Above we define depression, but we would like to outline what is normal, what could be an overlapping condition, and reiterate symptoms and add lesser-known symptoms of clinical depression. Lesser known physical symptoms of depression can include motor skill changes, irritability, and slowed speech. Where emotional and physical symptoms persist for more than two weeks and it is difficult to carry out everyday tasks, early intervention is key to identifying causes and finding ways to alleviate symptoms. 

Medical and Therapeutic Interventions 

Early intervention in major depressive disorder and clinical depression increases the likelihood of damage to relationships, career, and, in the worst case, your own life. Medical and therapeutic interventions in combination help physical and emotional symptoms. There are many medications and combinations of medications to treat depression and overlapping disorders. Therapy is often integrated to help you process trauma or other underlying causes linked to symptoms of depression and also help you understand your potential triggers. 

Seeking Help for Yourself and Others 

One of the most important things to remember if you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of depression or has a history of major depressive episodes is that there is constant research and advancement in alleviating these symptoms. Often, it can take some time for a patient to recover from an episode. Medications take time to be effective, and therapy also is a journey. Your symptoms and personal history will determine your unique patient plan. Apogee Behavioral Medicine providers are trained professionals with decades of experience and experts in the latest advancements in treating depression. Contact us today for yourself or a loved one. 

Emergency Interventions and Suicide Prevention 

It might be overlooked by many, but suicide is actually the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. Due to its severity, sharing statistics about suicide in the US is crucial.

• Suicide is the SECOND leading cause of death among ages 10-14 AND 25-34
• It is the Third leading cause of death between 15-24
• It is the fifth leading cause of death between 35-44 
• Suicide rates are 4 times higher among males 

Suicide is preventable with early and appropriate mental health interventions. Especially if you are a parent with children in the above risk groups, and you are concerned that your child is depressed, reach out to a mental health professional. There are many resources for suicide prevention that are free if you are without insurance. Spread awareness of suicide prevention resources, and show empathy to those who struggle. 

988 is a suicide prevention hotline that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are having persistent suicidal thoughts or know someone who struggles with clinical depression and whose welfare you believe is in danger, reach out for help. We are here to support those who suffer from depression and those family members who support those suffering from depression. Apogee Behavioral Medicine offers comprehensive plans to treat major depressive episodes, accommodates virtual sessions, and accepts most major insurance.