Bereavement, mourning, catastrophe,
economic recession, financial misfortune
and other devastating illnesses ultimately
result in sadness and this sadness should
never be equated to clinical depression.
Let me sound a note of warning to all of
us out there, that depression is a much
more serious illness, that if not properly
managed and treated could lead to a
catatonic death.
While only qualified medical doctors or
clinical health providers can diagnose
depression, there are certain warning signs
that can help you identify whether you or
someone you care about is suffering from
depression.
Prof Nancy Schimelpfening a Clinical
Psychologist writing in VeryWell magazine
had this to say about depression. In
addition to (8) symptoms listed below,
other factors that doctors will look at in
diagnosing a person with major depressive
disorder include:
ν Whether the symptoms have lingered for
at least two weeks.
ν Whether they have caused the person
significant impairment in his or her life and,
ν Whether the symptoms might be better
explained in some other way-such as
substance abuse, medication side effects,
a medical illness or another mental
disorder.
In order to ascertain whether you have
depression as opposed to ordinary sadness,
a doctor may ask you questions about your
1) medical history 2) observe your
appearance and behaviour and 3) run
certain laboratory tests. All these work
together to determine the diagnosis and
find the best solution for lifting your spirit.
Common (8) Symptoms of Clinical
Depression are;
1) Low mood
A person with a depressive mood, may
report feeling “sad†or “empty†or may cry
frequently. Having low mood is one of the
two core symptoms which is used to
diagnose depression.
2) Decreased Interest or Pleasure
The second core symptom of depression
is decreased interest or pleasure in things
that were once enjoyed. A person
exhibiting this symptom will show markedly
diminished interest or pleasure in all, or
almost all daily activities.
3) Significant Weight Change
Significant changes in weight (a gain or
loss of 5% or more in a month) while not
attempting to gain or lose weight, may be
indicative of depression. In children, this
may also present as a failure to make
expected weight gains.
4) Sleep Disturbances
Sleep disturbances including difficulty in
falling asleep, feeling sleepy despite full
night’s rest or daytime sleepiness can
indicate depression.
5) Psychomotor Agitation or Retardation
Depression can be the cause of agitation,
restlessness or lethargy that affects a
person’s daily routine, behaviour or
appearance. These symptoms can be
evident in body movements, speech and
reaction time. Some describe the
diminished ability to think, concentrate or
make decisions as “brain fogâ€.
6) Fatigue
Deep fatigue or a loss of energy is a
symptom of depression, that can cause
patients to struggle to function as they
previously did. This can manifest itself as
feeling sleepy or having difficulty in
concentration, as well as a lowered
threshold for physical exertion.
7) Feeling of Worthlessness or Guilt
A depressed person may feel
inappropriately guilty about things they
have no control over. This feeling results
from a sense of having betrayed one’s
values, but in depressed patients it is often
distorted as a result of faulty thinking.
Feelings of guilt can lead to shame and
even self harm.
8) Suicidal Tendencies
A depressed person may have frequent
thoughts of death and suicide, although
they may or may not have an actual plan of
committing suicide, yet the thoughts linger
with them due to frustration.
Depression In Old Age
This is a mental illness, but organic
nervous decline plays a part in its
appearance. It is characterised by acute
feelings of sadness, inadequacy, anxiety,
apathy, guilt and fear. It may be triggered
off by internal factors of mental make-up
(endogenous depression), or by external
events such as bereavement or knowledge
of an incurable disease (reactive
depression).
What is our take this week?
If you notice more than (4) of the
enumerated symptoms above in your child
or loved one, please consult your doctor,
who after a thorough evaluation may refer
you to a Clinical Psychologist for further
management. Do not obfuscate a serious
illness like depression with the flip talk of
“oh he/she is just a little sadâ€. Be medically
guided.
