Are you depressed?

Depression is a difficult concept. We often use it to mean we're feeling sad or down, but the real meaning is an actual medical diagnosis. Depression is a mental health disorder that needs treated, and the symptoms might surprise you. If you're wondering if you're just feeling down, or actually depressed, here are a few tips to help you figure it out.

Persistent negative emotions

Chronic negative emotions are what the clinical symptoms of depression revolve around, so it's no surprise this is a key indicator. It's normal to feel sad or lonely some of the time, but if these feelings happen all the time or even just frequently, you might be clinically depressed.

You don't feel anything

Your child's birthday party comes and goes, and while you aren't sad or anything, it doesn't make you happy. You go through each day with a kind of numbness, unmoved by the highs and lows of life. If this is you, you could very well be depressed. Clinical depression doesn't have to make you feel sad—it can sometimes make you feel nothing at all.

 Sleep disruptions

Most of us have good days and bad days sleep wise, but when you either can't sleep at all or sleep for hours and hours and still feel tired, this could be a sign of depression. Sleeping problems are a common sign of depression.

Depression has a wide range of symptoms. Clinical depression can cause anything from GI troubles to general restlessness. If you think you may be depressed, it's important to get help from a doctor. Even if you're not sure your symptoms fit the bill, a trip to the doctor can help sort out what may be wrong outside of depression. Clinical depression is treatable, and will help you back on the road to a meaningful, wonderful life.