Am I Depressed Or Just Sad? Quiz (2023)

FAQs

What gets mistaken for depression? ›

Many people have both depression and anxiety. They're different conditions, but they have some overlapping symptoms, like nervousness, irritability, problems sleeping, and a hard time concentrating. Your doctor can tell you if you have anxiety, depression, or both.

If you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms, most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks, you may be suffering from depression: Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood. Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism. Feelings of irritability, frustration, or restlessness.

Young Adults. Young adults ages 19 to 29 sometimes develop depression due to major life transitions, lack of support in new environments, lack of coping skills, relationship issues, poverty, trauma, work issues and more.

Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness. Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters. Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports. Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION AND OTHER MEDICAL DISORDERS

Weight loss, sleep disturbances, and low energy may occur in people with diabetes, thyroid disorders, some neurological disorders, heart disease, cancer and stroke –and also are common symptoms of depression.

The psychological symptoms of depression include: continuous low mood or sadness. feeling hopeless and helpless. having low self-esteem.

Sometimes, depression symptoms will last for only a few weeks. For many people though, untreated depression could last months and even years. Regardless of how long you've experienced depression, the condition is treatable. In fact, seeking the support of a professional often helps symptoms resolve much sooner.

Types of major depression include melancholia, psychotic and antenatal or postnatal. You may be diagnosed with mild, moderate or severe depression. Your mental health professional may diagnose you with depression if these symptoms: happen most days.

Irritability, anger, unexplained aches and pains, and changes in energy, focus, and sleeping patterns can occur in both depression and anxiety. Even the persistent dark, negative thoughts commonly associated with depression can look a lot like the endless worry of anxiety.

Share on Pinterest Symptoms of a depressive episode may include anxiety, frustration, feeling hopeless, fatigue, and a loss of interest in things once enjoyed. Symptoms of a depressive episode are more extreme than normal periods of low mood and may include: feeling sad, hopeless, or helpless.

Is there a way to end depression? ›

Along with therapy and sometimes medication, there's a lot you can do on your own to fight back. Changing your behavior -- your physical activity, lifestyle, and even your way of thinking -- are all natural depression treatments.

feel isolated — disinterested in the company of family and friends, or withdrawing from usual daily activities. feel overwhelmed — unable to concentrate or make decisions. be moody — feeling low or depression; feeling burnt out; emotional outbursts of uncontrollable anger, fear, helplessness or crying.

Stage 2: Establishment

This is the stage where depression starts to settle in and become the norm. Sadness, apathy, and general lack of interest may start to become the norm. You might start to feel less interest in things that you used to take great pleasure in.

Clinical depression is the more-severe form of depression, also known as major depression or major depressive disorder. It isn't the same as depression caused by a loss, such as the death of a loved one, or a medical condition, such as a thyroid disorder.

Untreated depression increases the chance of risky behaviors such as drug or alcohol addiction. It also can ruin relationships, cause problems at work, and make it difficult to overcome serious illnesses. Clinical depression, also known as major depression, is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts.

Behavioural characteristics include loss of energy, disturbances with sleep and changes in appetite. Emotional characteristics include depressed mood, feelings of sadness, and feelings of worthlessness. Cognitive characteristics include a diminished ability to concentrate and difficulties with attention.

“Depressed mood” and “loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities” are core features of a major depressive episode, though a strong case can be made to pay increasing attention to symptoms of fatigue, sleep disturbance, anxiety, and neurocognitive and sexual dysfunction in the diagnosis and evaluation of ...

Persistent depressive disorder symptoms usually come and go over a period of years. The intensity of symptoms can change over time. But symptoms usually don't disappear for more than two months at a time. Also, major depression episodes may occur before or during persistent depressive disorder.

What is a Mental Breakdown? The term mental breakdown is often used when a person has a mental health crisis that overcomes their emotions. It can stem from other conditions like depression and anxiety but tends to be a severe case.

When is the peak of depressive episode? ›

In their lifetime, 20% to 25% of women, and 7% to 12% of men will have a major depressive episode. The peak period of development is between the ages of 25 and 44 years. Onset of major depressive episodes or MDD often occurs to people in their mid-20s, and less often to those over 65.

Persistent depressive disorder (PDD): Persistent depressive disorder is mild or moderate depression that lasts for at least two years. The symptoms are less severe than major depressive disorder. Healthcare providers used to call PDD dysthymia.

There's no cure for depression, but you still have plenty of options for treatment, all of which can improve your symptoms and minimize their impact on your daily life.

There's no single cause of depression. It can occur for a variety of reasons and it has many different triggers. For some people, an upsetting or stressful life event, such as bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy and job or money worries, can be the cause. Different causes can often combine to trigger depression.

With sadness, the eyes look heavy, droopy. With anger, the eyebrows straighten and the eyes tend to glare. With confusion, the skin between the two eyebrows can wrinkle briefly. There's a connection between what your emotions and body language.

Depression creates a sensation of isolation as if you are lost in the wilderness with no direction. The final stage is acceptance, which means you have finally made peace with the reality of your mental illness.

The first step in treating clinical depression is recognizing that you are depressed. The second step is seeking help. These two steps may in fact be the hardest part of the entire treatment process.

You may experience symptoms of depression, plus mania or hypomania at the same time. For example, you may feel very energised and impulsive, while feeling upset or tearful. Or you may feel very agitated or irritable. You may also experience highs and lows very quickly after the other, within the same day or hour.

The chance of acquiring depression is much higher when an anxiety disorder already exists. Nearly half of those with major depression also suffer from severe and persistent anxiety. People who are depressed often feel anxious and worried. One can easily trigger the other, with anxiety often preceding depression.

Do you ever go back to normal after depression? ›

Many people who experience depression will fully recover. Many others will find some level of relief from their symptoms. There is no quick fix for depression, but there is great hope for healing. The fight is worth it – the capacity to flourish in life after depression is there.

While it is possible that an individual episode of depression may go away on its own without treatment, there is no guarantee that things won't get worse before they get better. That is why it is important to seek immediate treatment at the first signs of depression.

Each person's recovery is different. Some recover in a few weeks or months. But for others, depression is a long-term illness. In about 20% to 30% of people who have an episode of depression, the symptoms don't entirely go away.

Symptoms of emotional detachment

a lack of attention, or appearing preoccupied when around others. difficulty being loving or affectionate with a family member. avoiding people, activities, or places because they're associated with past trauma. reduced ability to express emotion.

PTSD is a condition that can occur after exposure to a traumatic event. It can cause a wide range of symptoms, including: intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or nightmares about the event. avoidance of places or situations that trigger related memories.

This type of crying may result from a mental health condition, such as burnout, anxiety, or depression. It might instead stem from hormonal imbalances or neurological conditions. If frequent crying for no apparent reason is causing concern, see a doctor for a diagnosis or a referral to a mental health professional.

It can occur for a variety of reasons and it has many different triggers. For some people, an upsetting or stressful life event, such as bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy and job or money worries, can be the cause. Different causes can often combine to trigger depression.

Serotonin not involved in depression

The study, which gathered evidence from 361 peer-reviewed scientific studies, found no link between depression and serotonin levels in the blood.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is another autoimmune disease known to have a high degree of neuropsychiatric problems, such as depression and anxiety, occurring in between 21 and 95% of patients (41).

What is most likely to cause depression? ›

It can affect all aspects of life, including relationships with family, friends and community. It can result from or lead to problems at school and at work. Depression can happen to anyone. People who have lived through abuse, severe losses or other stressful events are more likely to develop depression.

Since some B vitamins, including vitamin B12, B9, and B6, are involved in homocysteine metabolism, it's been theorized that low blood levels of these vitamins may lead to excess homocysteine, which in turn may affect brain functioning, leading to changes in mood and depressive symptoms.

Atypical depression is a type of depression in which you experience a temporary boost in mood in response to positive events. Other symptoms specific to atypical depression include increased appetite, hypersomnia and rejection sensitivity. It's treatable with psychotherapy and antidepressants.

Researchers suspect that many of these cases of late-life depression are caused by inflammation—in part because studies have found higher levels of inflammatory immune proteins in the blood of older people with depression, compared to non-depressed people of the same age.

Adaptogens, exercise, nutrition, meditation or mindfulness, omega-3 fatty acid, and vitamin D are some examples of natural mood stabilizers.

Clinical depression is the more-severe form of depression, also known as major depression or major depressive disorder. It isn't the same as depression caused by a loss, such as the death of a loved one, or a medical condition, such as a thyroid disorder.