Kathy Bowman (SYMPTOMS-OF-DEPRESSION)

Feeling depressed is a normal reaction to loss, life's struggles, or an injured self-esteem. But when these feelings become overwhelming and last for long periods of time, they can keep you from leading a normal, active life. One of the common signs of depression is a general loss of energy leading to persistent lethargy and to a lack of interest in most daily activities or even ones that one previously liked, such as hobbies. Recognizing the symptoms of depression is often the biggest hurdle to the diagnosis and treatment of clinical or major depression. Unfortunately, approximately half the people who experience symptoms never do get diagnosed or treated for their illness. Not getting treatment can be life threatening. More than one out of every 10 people is battling with depression.

Depression commonly interferes with your work, social and family life. In addition, there are many other symptoms, which can be physical, psychological and social. There are lots of reasons for a person to get depressed but you can easily identify the symptoms of depression at and help the person to overcome it. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, symptoms of depression may include the following:

● Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions

● Fatigue and decreased energy

● Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness

● Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism

● Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping

● Irritability, restlessness

● Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex

● Overeating or appetite loss

● Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment

● Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings

● Changes to the menstrual cycle

● Indecisiveness, distractibility and decreased concentration

● Crying spells for no apparent reason

● Mood swings

● Constant feeling of anxiety, sadness or emptiness as well as short temper, irritability and restlessness.

So, if you are experiencing many of these physical symptoms, consult a doctor, as they might be symptoms of depression. Your physical symptoms are not in your head, and are often the cause of depression, so do not ignore them, and do not forget to tell your doctor about them, even if they do not ask. Without knowing all of your symptoms, the doctor can't get you on the right treatment plan. To get a proper diagnosis of the condition the first way should lead to a medical practitioner who will also be able to verify the symptoms of depression and to advice on the best treatment for the specific depression case. Always keep in mind: Depression is a disease that affects millions of people worldwide, but there are many highly effective ways available to treat it once it is properly diagnosed.

Depression affects each person in different ways, so depression symptoms vary from person to person. Inherited traits, age, gender and cultural background all play a role in how depression may affect you.