What is the Most Serious Symptom of
Depression?
By far the most serious symptom of depression is having
suicidal thoughts. Depression is a factor in most suicides.
When a person is caught in the throes of depression, it is very
difficult for him or her to see a light at the end of the
tunnel. This condition can be treated if the individual seeks
help.
If a person talks about wanting to take his or her own life,
this is not to be taken lightly. He or she needs immediate
medical attention. It would be far better to get the person
help than to assume that he or she isn’t serious and end up
going to a funeral instead.
Everyone feels sad or “blue” from time to time. We all have
those types of feelings, whether from events in our lives or
when our self-esteem has been bruised. It is quite normal to
feel this way. It can be a cause for concern, though, when
these feelings start to interfere with a person’s ability to
function normally.
The person experiencing a symptom of depression may find that
he or she is not able to eat, get the proper amount of sleep,
perform at work, or enjoy the company of others. At this point,
the person may not be able to ask for the help they so
desperately need. Other caring people may have to help the
person reach out for help.
Is Feeling Sad a Symptom of Depression?
Depression is a disorder that tends to make the sufferer pull
back from other people. To other people, it may appear that the
depressed individual is irritable or quite agitated. Inside,
the person feels very different. He or she might be feeling one
or more of the following symptoms of depression:
Feeling sad or empty can be a symptom of depression. A lot of
people might not realize that feeling anxious can also be part
of depression. The person might also experience feelings of
guilt, helplessness, or worthlessness.
It might become difficult to concentrate or remember. Making
decisions may also be difficult. Activities or hobbies the
person previously enjoyed don’t appeal anymore . Lack of
interest in sexual activity can also be a symptom of
depression.
A change in weight can also be a symptom of depression. Losing
weight without dieting or gaining 5% or more over a short
period of time (a month) are signs that a person might be
slipping into a depression.’
Having any of the above-noted symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean
that the person is depressed. The symptoms need to be present
for a couple of weeks or more and the person must be
experiencing several symptoms at the same time to be diagnosed
with depression. Other illnesses can have similar symptoms and
a thorough evaluation by a doctor must be conducted to get to
the root of the problem. Some medications or the use of illegal
drugs can produce symptoms that resemble depression.
Another factor that goes into the mix is that the symptoms must
be severe enough to limit the person’s ability to function.
What this means is that the person must be having difficulty
functioning at work, school, socially, or in some other facet
of his or her life.
A symptom of depression can look different depending on whether
the sufferer is male or female. Women experiencing depression
are more likely than men to report feeling anxious or guilty.
They are also more likely to develop eating disorders or gain
weight. Older adults with depression report feeling “empty”
more often than younger people with the disorder.
As you can see, depression can manifest itself in many
different ways, depending on the individual involved. One
symptom of depression is not enough to tell a physician all he
or she needs to make a proper diagnosis.
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