SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION

SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION

“A cheerful heart is a good medicine but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.” Prov. 17:22 – New Revised Standard

In order for us to fight depression in our lives, we must be able to understand its symptoms. These are some of the symptoms of depression in people.

EMOTIONAL INSTABILITY. You can know whether a person is depressed when there is a constant and recurring feeling of hopelessness. There is a picture of pessimism. There is much guilt. There is a feeling of worthlessness, even a sense of helplessness. They are restless and irritable. They have difficulty in concentrating or remembering and making decisions. There might even be a recurring aches and pains in the body that don't respond to treatment.

LACK OF INTEREST. A person who is depressed can easily loss his or her interest or pleasure in ordinary activities, including sex for those who are married.

SLEEPING HABITS. Even their sleeping habits will be affected. Many times, he cannot sleep well. Or in most cases, he will experience early-morning awakening, or sometimes, there are those who would tend to oversleep when they are depressed.

APPETITES. Some people when depressed have good appetite and gain weight easily. You wouldn’t know that they are depressed by the looks of them. They look fine outwardly but not from within. Food is their outlet. Others when depressed can’t eat at all. Hence, they lose weight easily.

TIREDNESS. Most experience considerable decrease in energy. They grow tired easily. They tend to "slow down" their activities. There are even thoughts of death or suicide attempts.

Watch out for these symptoms for the enemy is lurking behind wanting to destroy you physically and your future. But before we will talk about the good news on how we can overcome depression by faith, let us first of all talk about the causes of depression. Why do people experience depression? More next issue.