According to the World Health Organization, about 280 million people worldwide have depression. Depression is a common mental health condition; however, sometimes it can be difficult to differentiate between depression and simply feeling down or sad. Depression and feeling sad or down are not necessarily the same thing.
We all experience moments of sadness and have “bad days” from time to time. However, if you notice you’ve been experiencing feelings of sadness or hopelessness for weeks or months on end, it’s important you schedule an appointment with your physician to determine if you may be struggling with clinical depression.
In this article, you’ll learn more about what are the signs and symptoms of clinical depression so you can better understand if you may be struggling with depression. At Sanctuary Wellness, we are an inpatient mental health treatment center committed to helping patients struggling with mental illness receive the right care to improve their mental health.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you improve your mental health and well-being.
What Is Clincial Depresison?
Before diving more into what are the signs and symptoms of clinical depression, let’s quickly recap what is depression. Clinical depression is more than just having a bad day here or there. Clinical depression is a severe form of depression, otherwise known as major depression or major depressive disorder. People who have clinical depression experience persistent symptoms for at least two weeks. Many people can struggle with clinical depression for months, even years; that’s why understanding the signs and symptoms of clinical depression is important.
Clinical depression, left untreated, can significantly reduce your quality of life and negatively impact all areas of your life, from your health to your relationships, work or school responsibilities, and more. Therefore, if you suspect you may be struggling with depression, it is important you seek professional help to better manage your depression symptoms and get back to living a healthier, happier life.
Common Signs of Clinical Depression
If you suspect you may be struggling with clinical depression, it’s important you receive a diagnosis as soon as possible so you can start receiving treatment to better manage your depression symptoms.
If you’ve been wondering, “What are the signs and symptoms of clinical depression?” here are some common signs of clinical depression to look out for:
- Feeling very sad or hopeless
- Loss of interest in things you once enjoyed
- Increase or decrease in appetite levels
- Difficulty sleeping too much or too little
- Intense feelings of worthlessness
- Difficulty concentrating or being indecisive
- Suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself
- Loss of energy or fatigue nearly every day
- Feeling anxious, worried, or restless
- Getting little enjoyment out of life
Above are some clinical depression signs you should not ignore. While some people may experience varying symptoms of depression, if you suspect you may be struggling with depression, it’s essential you talk with your doctor, receive a diagnosis, and seek professional treatment.
Treatment Options For Clinical Depression
If you are showing signs of clinical depression and have received a diagnosis, it’s essential you seek professional treatment to safely and effectively manage your depression symptoms. Several potential treatment options can help better manage your symptoms. Some common treatment options for clinical depression include:
- Medications For Depression: This may include being prescribed antidepressants to better manage your depression symptoms.
- Therapy For Depression: This includes practicing psychotherapy or talk therapy. Examples of this include individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy.
- Alternative Treatments For Depression: This includes making lifestyle changes or alternative therapies that can assist in effectively treating your depression.
Help Is Available
You should never feel ashamed about your clinical depression. If you suspect you may be struggling with depression, it’s essential you receive a diagnosis and seek professional help to better manage your depression symptoms. Seeking treatment for your depression symptoms will help you reduce your symptoms and improve your health and quality of life for the better.
If you’re struggling with a mental health disorder, you don’t have to suffer in silence. Sanctuary Wellness offers a range of mental health treatment services to better manage your mental illness symptoms. Contact us today to learn how we can help you on your recovery journey.
