Monday, October 27, 2008

Tips on Handle Clinical Depression

Clinical depression symptoms go beyond feeling a little under the weather. They are often deeper and typically chronically sustained over a long period of time. And though this debilitating disease affects between 19 and 20 million Americans every year, it often goes undiagnosed.
And though clinical depression can be treated, many patients don't seek treatment - often believing they're just going through a slump or experiencing a down period that will pass. They might look at their symptoms and think they're related to stress at work, problems at home or the everyday course of life's ups and downs. But, if this affliction is left untreated, it can adversely afflict almost every aspect of an individual's life.
So, what are the clinical depression symptoms, and how do you identify them? To learn, keep reading.

Persistent Poor Mood
A consistent and unrelenting feeling of sadness or anxiousness can often be a sign of the disease. Most doctors won't diagnose the disease, though, until the symptom has persisted over a period of several weeks.
Sleeping and Eating Patterns Change
When a person begins to suffer from clinical depression, they will often notice a pronounced change in sleeping habits - like being unable to sleep through the night or sleeping excessively and feeling unable to get out of bed. Other changes include a change in eating habits, whether it's binging or a dramatic drop in appetite.
Since an increase or decrease in appetite or a change in sleeping patterns can affect the body physically, these symptoms can even become contributing causes.
Change in Sex Drive
Often patients diagnosed with the disease complain of a significantly reduced interest in sex. This lack of interest can also extend to other pleasurable activities
Irritability and Anger
As patients attempt to deal with their depression symptoms, they can often become restless, irritable and even aggressive.
Unexplained Aches and Pains
Many people suffering from this plight will see their disease manifest itself in incurable and mysterious physical ailments such as chronic pain, headaches or digestive problems.
Trouble Focusing and Remembering
An inability to focus on tasks at school or work along with marked short-term memory loss can be an indicating symptom. This symptom can often frustrate and aggravate the patient, therefore worsening the effects of the depression.
Feelings of Guilt or Severe Depression
People living with or suffering from clinical depression may experience extreme feelings of guilt or worthlessness - such as being no good and everyone knows it. Because of this, thoughts of suicide and death are not unusual.
Clinical depression symptoms are not a normal part of being human, nor are they just part of a woman's natural cycle. It is a serious medical illness that affects millions of people, but it can be treated and even cured. The real tragedy of this debilitating disease is that it so often goes untreated.
If you or a loved one is experiencing some of the symptoms described above, it is well worth the time and effort to seek a medical evaluation and, if necessary, obtain treatment.

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