Being sad is not the same thing as being depressed. If you are sad, often it’s because of a loss of a loved one, a breakup, or some other unexpected and unwanted event in your life. However, there can be times where happiness breaks through the sadness. In other words, there may be times when you begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. One of the essential earmarks of sadness is that it is temporary. It will eventually go away.
However, if your sadness refuses to leave and grows stronger, that may signal that you are struggling with depression. Depression tends to get in the way of everyday life. You may not want to do what you formerly enjoyed. For depression, the only way you’re going to get better is if you get treatment.
What Are the Symptoms of Depression?
The signs of depression vary, and you may not have them all. Most of these depend on the person. However, common symptoms of depression are pretty simple. You may feel sad or helpless or hopeless. These feelings may get worse without going away, and you may feel terrible about yourself. You might even believe that nothing good will happen to you again. You might feel irritable or more cranky than usual. You may also be struggling to become interested in your former hobbies. Your concentration may be lessened, causing you to forget small details. You may not want to make decisions, even small ones, because it feels too complicated.
Additionally, you might be more tired or wanting to sleep more. Conversely, you may have trouble falling asleep, or you might wake up too early. You may not feel hungry, or you may be consistently overeating. You may have headaches more often, or an upset stomach. By themselves, these may not necessarily be signs of depression. However, if you have a combination of any of these symptoms, you could be struggling with depression.
Are The Signs of Depression My Fault?
We want to assure you, the symptoms of depression are not your fault. Your brain structure or genetics may cause depression. Trauma and other life events can also cause depression. If you drink or use drugs, these can also enhance the symptoms of depression.
If the signs of depression sound familiar to you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the experts at South Tampa Psychiatry. We offer a variety of treatment programs, including:
- Depression treatment programs
- Anxiety treatment programs
- Dual diagnosis treatment program
- Substance abuse treatment programs
You don’t have to struggle with depression alone. Seek help at South Tampa Psychiatry today at 866.273.5017. Treatment is within reach.
