Depression is a mental disorder that affects millions of people. Some experience mild depression triggered by difficult events or even during certain times of the year. For others, depression is a debilitating condition that severely affects their life. Patients with major depression are in significant emotional distress and are often impaired from functioning socially and an work.
In general, a sufferer of severe depression will suffer from a number of the typical depression symptoms.. Additionally, the severity of the symptoms will generally be more intense and will cause great suffering. Moreover, the duration of the symptoms will be significantly longer than 3 months in many cases. But all of these symptoms call out for lifestyle changes and treatment.
Symptoms of Major Depression
To be diagnosed with major depression, patients must experience five or more of the following symptoms every day for at least a two week period of time.
- Not sleeping enough OR sleeping too much
- Chronic tired feeling and lack of energy
- At least a 5% change in weight (gain or loss) in a month
- Suicidal feelings or self-destructive behavior
- Inability to concentrate or think clearly to make decisions
- Agitation, restlessness, and irritability
- Withdrawal from typical pleasurable activities
- Feelings of hopelessness, feeling like things will never get better
Examples of this occur when a patient who is on the same schedule and has been for years suddenly cannot fall asleep at night, or suddenly cannot wake up on time for work and other obligations. They may also sleep off and on during normal waking hours.
Even on a good night’s sleep, the patient feels exhausted and like the simplest tasks are physically difficult to accomplish. Even with coffee and other stimulants, the patient is lethargic and catatonic.
Often, a majorly depressed person eats much more than usual as they try to fill a void and cannot feel full or satisfied. Sometimes, the opposite is true, and the patient has no appetite or cannot taste their food.
Sometimes, this symptom can be hard to spot. The person may be cutting themselves on areas of the body that are hidden by clothing, or they can be abusing drugs and alcohol to the point that they could die. The vicious cycle can go on for days, weeks and even months at a time.
This symptom can make the simplest day to day life difficult. Patients cannot seem to “get it together.” Bills go unpaid, children are affected and nothing seems to make sense to the person.
A common misconception about depression is that victims suffering from it are quiet, withdrawn and melancholy. This is not always the case; sometimes the person can be anxious and moody and lash out at their family and friends, too.
This is a classic sign of major depression. Someone with severe depression will usually lose interest in all enjoyment they previously had. They often do not even want to leave the house, much less partake in events and activities.
Hopelessness and no optimism for the future is something those suffering from severe depression often face. They can’t seem to “snap out” of their blues.
If you or someone you know is suffering from any of these symptoms of major depression, contact a mental health care provider in your area for assistance. With medication and therapy, severely depressed patients can live a normal, healthy life.
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