(from helpguide.org)
There’s a vast difference between “feeling depressed” and suffering from clinical depression. The despondency of clinical depression is unrelenting and overwhelming. Some people describe it as “living in a black hole” or having a feeling of impending doom. They can't escape their unhappiness and despair. However, some people with depression don't feel sad at all. Instead, they feel lifeless and empty. In this apathetic state, they are unable to experience pleasure. Even when participating in activities they used to enjoy, they feel as if they're just going through the motions. The signs and symptoms vary from person to person, and they may wax and wane in severity over time.
Signs and Symptoms of Clinical Depression
Clinical depression is distinguished from situational depression by length and severity
Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness-A bleak outlook—nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation.
Loss of interest in dailly activities-No interest in or ability to enjoy former hobbies, pastimes, social activities, or sex.
Appetite or weight changes-Significant weight loss or weight gain—a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month.
Sleep changes-Either insomnia, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping (also known as hypersomnia).
Psychomotor agitation or retardation-either feeling “keyed up” and restless or sluggish and physically slowed down.
Loss of energy-Feeling fatigued and physically drained. Even small tasks are exhausting or take longer.
Self-loathing-Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. Harsh criticism of perceived faults and mistakes.
Concentration problems-Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.
Clinical (Major) Depression
Major depression is characterized by the inability to enjoy life and experience pleasure. Lack of interest in outside activities, strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt, thoughts that life isn’t worth living, weight gain or loss, sleep troubles- all of these are signs of major depression. These feelings normally must persist for at least two weeks in order to be considered a major depressive episode. The symptoms can range from mild, when you can function in life with extra effort, to severe, where you can no longer complete daily activities.
2 comments:
Jamie, I also suffer from depression. I am ok right now and it has been a couple of years since I had a "session". This is not a popular thing to tell people about. It is just like the blog says, you know you shouldnt feel depressed but no matter what you do or think,you still do and nobody can understand unless they have been through this. I still have no idea how I shake off these feelings except just focusing on good things and God.
One thing I think that has helped a lot is I stopped having high expectations in life. I think sometimes people paint the Christian life as all good and all blessings but its really a lot of the time the opposite, the difference is, if you trust Jesus, you get to know God and spend eternity with Jesus! and thats enough!!!
I just keep focused on trying to do God's will to the best of my ability and let Him worry about the other small stuff.
Let me know if I can help anyone by talking with them about my experience. It really helps to talk with someone who knows.
Thanks for your honesty David. I would love to see a group dealing with depression start in Celebrate Recovery.
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