How does a depressed person know when they are depressed?

The DSM-IV lists many different symptoms of depression, but each person may experience it differently. A major depression may consist of the following symptoms:

-Feeling sad for at least 2 weeks every day or most days; in children can be irritability

-Anhedonia or not enjoying things like you used to

-feelings of worthlessness

-feelings of hopelessness

-appetite disturbance (either eating all the time or significant weight loss without dieting)

-thinking about dying or suicidal ideation

-psychomotor agitation or retardation (i.e., slow)

-withdrawl from others

-sleeping difficulties

Usually a person who is depressed knows they are down, but may display flat affect (i.e., no smiling) or seem blunted.

We all get depressed sometime. It is a part of life. But if a person is depressed for 2 or 3 weeks it's time to ask questions. Depression can manifest in different ways. Some

cry for no reason. Get angry. Talk too much or not enough.

Eat too much or not at all. Can be conplusive in their actions.

Some can't function well. Can't sleep, or sleep too much. Drastic mood changes, being very high or very blue. There

are many symptoms with depression. IT best to get to a good

professional so they can find out what is causing a particular

kind of depression. And there are so many ways to treat it.

It can be very serious if the person does not seek help.

People that suffer from depression really need someone to

talk to .And should not be embarrassed to get help.

Well all that I can tell you is when I get depressed. I get depressed whenever I see a picture of someone who has hurt me in the past (such as a girl who doesn't like me anymore) and I go into this mind set. I just lay around and sometimes sleep for hours during the middle of the day or I go out and smoke ciggs. and I just feel like crap and so I start to cry alot. but for me it depends because for example one min. I could be crying and then the next min. I would get really angry. So my mood changes. And yeah I'm a guy so us guys don't like to show their depression that much as girls do. Girls cry and people can see it alot easyer with them because they show their emotions better then we do so they can get angry and cry and have all the signs of depresstion. Men however like to hide their depression. They hide it by going to work all the time or getting upset over every little thing. And when they cry they do it alone when no one can see them. And what happens is that because of depression men tend to commit suicide more often then women do. Men don't really care about life and they just want to die more then women. Women who want to die only a few less then men because they have more help with their depression because they don't hide it. Yeah I have alot on my mind when I'm depessed but I try and not show that I'm thinking too much with my family and I don't say a word when I'm going through with depression thoughts or even suicide. And no, no know can tell you that you are depressed thats not how it works its something that you deal with.

I thought i was depressed cause i was reading about it..and I relaized I had most of the symptoms and I was feeling that way for a couple months.... I went to the doctor recently and he reccomended a psychologist...so im going this friday...I have felt worthless and sad for like 7 months now...and sometimes i feel like crying for no reason and sometimes i just get really sad and i cant cry =[ ..and its not something u can just get over , u cant really control it =/

I have been there and still on medication for my anxiety that runs in my family.

Before my medication which I take every day, I never miss a dose, like some people my husband knows that he works with, they feel ok, so they stop, you should never stop taking medication no matter what unless your doctor says so, and then with your doctors help, he or she will "wein" (sp)? you off of them.

But depression is lack of energy, lack of sleep, crying all the time, loss of appetite, loss of just feeling like your self, you do not laugh anymore, you seem like you are just walking around in this smoke and can't find your way anywhere, you do not want to be around anyone, worry, closing the drapes, and not feeling like you want to take the dog out for a walk or do your daily activities!!!

Hiding from people and not wanting to have anything to do with anyone in your life.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, please call your doctor and get help!

And never stop until you are completely satisfied!

There are numerous signs and symptoms that have been identified by health care professionals. Match the symptoms that you know are present with those listed - that will give one a good indication of the presence of a mental health difficulty.Look in your local phone book, on line, at a local hospital. All communications are confidential. There are lots of places that Q@A's can be addressed on these subjects. Good luck!

either one. some people have numbed tehmselves. others are sensitive and cry daily. some people have been "zapped" out of life and may appear zombie-ish. some talk incessantly to avoid feeligns of emptiness that are engulfing them

Oh trust me....you just know. It's not the same for every person. No one has to tell you. You feel it.