Symptoms of Depression: When to Seek Help

Depression is an elusive disease. Under the best of conditions, someone who is depressed will understand that he or she is suffering and will seek out help. Unfortunately, most individuals experiencing depression do not recognize that their symptoms are related to a clinical psychological problem. Often, friends, co-workers, or family members need to help these individuals identify their depression and seek help.

The most common symptoms of depression in adults include:
  • changes in appetite or sleep patterns
  • difficulty concentrating
  • irritability
  • lethargy
  • persistent sadness
  • physical discomfort
  • thoughts of suicide or death. 
Individuals who experience these symptoms chronically (whether or not they are in response to personal crises) may be clinically depressed.

With proper evaluation and diagnosis, all forms of clinical depression are treatable. Without professional treatment, each episode of depression will likely become more intense than the last, and will be brought about by smaller and smaller external sources of stress and anxiety. These symptoms can be debilitating, affecting every area of a person's life. 

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