How do you know if you’re depressed?
Posted on Sun, Jan 31, 2010
Helping professionals look at a number of factors when assessing depression. We may ask you questions about your sleep, your appetite, your energy, your ability to think, your mood, and thoughts of dying.
Signs of depression or deep sadness:
When people are feeling sad, low, or flat, they may not feel like doing things they used to be interested in doing. They may not want to be around other people or may feel really worthless or guilty about anything and everything they do. Sometimes what can happen is people want to eat everything in sight, or food can become meaningless to them. Significant weight changes up or down may be a sign of deep sadness. Feeling like your walking through molasses throughout your day may be another signal. Your brain can feel like it’s stuck in that dark glue too because it can be hard to concentrate, hard to remember what you set out to do, or it can be hard to stay focused on what you’re doing.
Obvious Signs:
More obvious signs are that you’re feeling really down in the dumps and are having thoughts of dying or of killing yourself. Wishing for the pain to stop, wishing to die in an accident or from an illness, taking unreasonable risks with your life, or actively thinking about killing yourself are signs you need help.
Get Help:
Most of us feel sad from time to time. Life can present things that are hard to deal with for us. There are times when that sadness can grow to proportions that can seem more and more unmanageable. If you’re feeling like that or know someone who is, seek out some support. If you’d like more information or support, please contact me at reneemeggs@focusedsolutionscounselling.com or 403-762-3040.
About the author:
Renée Meggs is a Registered Psychologist who works with adults and children to help them do what works, both in counselling and coaching. If you’d like to book an appointment or enquire about my services, please e-mail me at reneemeggs@focusedsolutionscounselling.com and/or go to my website at http://reneemeggs.com. I can meet with you in person, on the phone, or on-line.