Depression is not always easy to spot, and in a world filled with social media it always seems like everyone is living their best life.
In the most severe states people can have suicidal thoughts and profound hopelessness. The symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe. Depression can affect anyone.
Depression is an illness like any other disease (diabetes, hypertension, heart disease) that affects thoughts, feelings, physical health, and behaviors.
People with major depressive disorder have several of these symptoms every day or nearly every day for 2 weeks or more.
Here are some signs that you may have depression
At least one of the following, loss of interest in things you previously enjoyed or depressed mood
At least 3 of the following
- Feeling slow or restless
- Feeling guilty or worthless
- Increased or decreased appetite
- Suicidal thoughts
- Problems concentrating, making choices, or remembering things
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- Having low energy
Potential physical signs of depression include
- Headaches
- Muscle tension
- Digestive symptoms
- Sexual problems
- Feeling “keyed up”
This can be summed up in the mnemonic SIGECAPS taught to medical students everywhere. The mnemonic comes from the prescription a doctor might write for a depressed patient
SIG: 1 energy capsules per day
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