How do I know if I have depression or not?
Answer:
Hi, there are many factors in why people get depressed.
There could be a hereditary factor, but the behaviours of a depressed person may also be 'learned' from a close family member, so it is not automatic that if your Dad has depression that you will get it too.
Take a look here for some of the common signs and symptoms of depression - http://www.self-help-mental-health-depre...
If you still feel after reading this that you have depression then I would suggest getting a proper diagnosis from a doctor.
By all means talk things over with your dad too as talking can often help.
If you do have depression, don't worry there are many things you can do to overcome if without depending on conventional anti-depressants.
Take a look here for some ideas - http://www.self-help-mental-health-depre...
Good luck!
I don't know. I have depression but it's kinda bad and i feel like crap if i don't take my meds. But yeah, it can be heredity. But if your not having thoughts of suicide, not wanting to be alone all the time, or having loss of interest in things you used to like doing, it could just be hormones. But I'd talk to your dad and ask him if he does, or you could just go ask to see a doctor or therapist to talk about this so you can get a professional opinion. best of luck
are you a guy or a girl? If you are a girl, please see my question on pregnancy and childbirth about women who have had abortions. thanks
your only depressed if you acknowledge you are opther than that .power of the mind
Yes, but not necessary. Maybe you are just sensitive?? I was sensitive and it because of that I got depression. If you dad has this beautifull ilness there is a big chance u might get it also. The only person who can determine if you have depression or not, is the qualified phisician. Maybe your dad's pdoc? Talk to your parents and please look for help. You are too young to suffer. Good Luck!
You are negative about everything even if there is no reason for the negativity. You don't care about anything. You spend a lot of time alone away from others. You sleep a lot. You cry a lot or just feel sad or blah a lot. If you think you are suffering from depression, you need to get help or atleast talk to someone about it.
Yes, I found this out recently. If you are crying alot and don't exactly know why, and feel bad also, there is a very great need for a visit to your doctor for a referral to a Psychiatrist visit. It is better to catch it early and to begin to deal with it than wait until your my age, I'm 49 and have been battling depression since I was your age. Get some help to find out and go from there. Good Luck to you.
When you are depressed and you don't know why, it is usually "endogenous" depression. If you know why you are depressed it is usually environmental depression. When you are in a stress situation, as in bereavement or rejection of love, the stress hormones may interfere with the production of feel good neurotransmitters such as serotonin. And so you feel depressed, but you know why.
If you don't know why you are depressed it is usually endogenous. In endogenous depression there are usually biological factors at work. Depression can be due to simple nutritional disorders as for instance over-consumption of sugar or due to nutritional deficiencies.
Hi :) Let me just say that I am sorry to hear that you have been going through a hard time and not feeling well. It is not possible to diagnose you with any disorder online, so I would recommend regardless of what I and/or anyone else says that you seek professional help to determine your diagnosis, if any, and the best course of action to deal with your current problems, especially because of your family history of depression.
That said, here are the criteria for whether or not someone qualifies for a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (more commonly known as depression):
A. At least one of the symptoms is either:
(1) depressed mood or
(2) loss of interest or pleasure.
And five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning:
(1) depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either your own experience (e.g., feeling sad or empty) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful). Note: In children and adolescents, this can be irritable mood.
(2) markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated by either subjective account or observation made by others)
(3) significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.
(4) Insomnia (can't sleep) or Hypersomnia (too much sleep, can't get up) nearly every day
(5) psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not just your own feelings of restlessness or being slowed down)
(6) fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
(7) feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick)
(8) diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by your own account or as observed by others)
(9) recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent thoughts of suicide without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide
B. The symptoms do not meet criteria for a Mixed Episode (This has to do with ruling out Bipolar Disorder and is not something you need to worry about, but if you want to learn more or rule out Bipolar Disorder for yourself, see p. 335 of the DSM IV-TR).
C. The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
D. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., hypothyroidism).
E. The symptoms are not better accounted for by Bereavement, i.e., after the loss of a loved one, the symptoms persist for longer than 2 months or are characterized by marked functional impairment, morbid preoccupation with worthlessness, suicidal ideation, psychotic symptoms, or psychomotor retardation.
You see, the clinical diagnosis has more specific symptoms than just the common understanding of depression, which is generally just depressed mood. If you think that you meet enough of these symptoms, then you may be clinically depressed, which is definitely a condition to discuss with a physical doctor and/or a mental health professional. Because you are 15, you will need parental consent to attend therapy so please discuss your concerns with your parents.
I wish you the best of luck and whether you have depression or not, crying a lot and feeling really bad are good enough reasons to seek help, whether it is a therapist, doctor, school counselor, parent, or other adult who can help, please take care of yourself.
The medicine and health information post by website user , ByeDR.com not guarantee correctness , is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
More Questions and Answers...