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Dark Night of the Soul - Dealing With Depression
by Jack Wellman
2010-02-28 09:53:57 |
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What are the signs and symptoms of Clinical Depression? What creates depression and how can it be treated?
* A pen or pencil and paper
* A column for symptoms on the paper
* A column for causes for depression
* At the bottom of the page, write down what you can do to do to get help with depression
With pen or pencil in hand, write down under the column of symptoms these signs and symptoms of depression and put a check mark next to the ones that you have experienced or know of someone else who has or presently is experiencing:
Mental or physical exhaustion almost all of the time.
Inability to sleep.
Lack of concentration
Hopelessness
Constant dejection
Feelings of worthlessness
Appetite issues (over or under eating)
Constant irritation or anger
Lack of sexual desire
Loss of energy
Loss of interest in your or their hobbies
Quick loss of temper
Lashing out at people
A tendency of being short with people
Punishing yourself or themselves
A mild or constant state of sadness
Not talking with anyone, or being unusually quite around others
Setting all night after work in front of the TV
If you have checked of 5 or more of these symptoms or signs, you may need to see a doctor.
Now, write down under the causes column all of these causes and check the ones that you or someone else has experienced:
Loss of a job
Divorce
Death of a spouse or child
Hectic, fast-paced lifestyle
A steady diet of fast food
A harried schedule
A constantly ringing Blackberry
Bankruptcy
If you have checked off 3 or more of these, then you could be at risk of suffering from depression.
Write down things that you can do to fight depression:
Establish proper boundaries in your schedule, allowing sufficient down time
Eat three properly nutritional meals a day
Take one day off per week from anything work related
Consistent rest
Exercise
Relational stimulation like mentoring or time with friends (TV doesn't count)
See a doctor if these things do not lesson your depression.
Almost everyone goes through depression at one time or another, but most people come out of it. If you or someone you know stays in severe depression for weeks or months, this is a warning sign that you or someone you know needs professional help. Seek it now. Depression is not a character weakness but it could simply be too much going on, too many difficult issues you've gone through or it could be a simple brain chemical imbalance. These are all treatable.
Never ignore signs of wanting to hurt yourself or thinking suicidal thoughts. See a doctor, even if you think its not Clinical Depression. Your doctor is trained to give you help or refer you to a counselor if need be.
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