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Clinical Depression Symptoms
from: AnxietyStressHelp.comClinical depression symptoms can be identified and documented based on medically accepted research. Depression can hide behind many behaviors and moods making it difficult to diagnose at times. Not everyone simply sits and stares out the window or refuses to get out of bed in the morning and get dressed. Some people may not even be aware they're experiencing a mild form of depression. So how do doctors determine you are depressed?
Studies of clinical depression have researched behavioral, cognitive and physical states and activities in order to determine what causes depression. Clinical depression symptoms that are physical often begin in the brain. In a nutshell, the brain works by sending messages between neurons using neurotransmitters. These transmitters are controlled by chemicals produced in the brain.
- Dopamine
- Serotonin
- Norepinephrine
There are other chemicals used in the transmission process, but these are the primary three. When these chemicals are not produced in the right quantity, the neurotransmitters don't work properly. This affects your emotions, feelings and thoughts. When these chemical processes lead to depression, there are many symptoms manifested. The key to identifying depression often lies in comparing current behavior to past behavior. For example, a person who previously enjoyed social activities and now won't leave the house might be depressed.
There may be other physical clinical depression symptoms. They include sudden changes in weight or unexplained high blood pressure.
Other clinical depression symptoms besides the brain chemical levels are related to thoughts and actions. A person who exhibits clinical depression symptoms will most likely have bad thoughts frequently. They see life as bleak and getting bleaker. They don't look forward to anything and don't want to participate in normal activities. A person with depression often sees their life as full of only mistakes and lost opportunities and this translates to hopelessness. If you see yourself in this description, then you are probably experiencing a level of depression. Simply stated - life is never hopeless.
Other clinical depression symptoms are related to behavior. Someone who is depressed might cry a lot or exhibit signs of anxiety. A depressed person may withdraw from all activities, or even when they do participate, they are obviously having no fun. Other behaviors may include short tempered responses to people trying to engage them in conversation or a desire to just be left alone all the time.
Finally, clinical depression symptoms can also be very apparent. A person with bipolar disorder or mania clearly needs treatment. If you have thoughts that are always dreary and self-critical, have lost interest in your family or friends or have unexplained physical changes, you should seek treatment. These are just a few of the signs of depression.
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