Symptoms

http://www.reachout.com.au/default.asp?ti=1908e
 * People experience depression or a depressed mood in different ways, depending on the type of depression and individual differences. Common symptoms across all types of depression include:**
 * Mood**
 * **feeling sad, moody or crap**
 * **feeling hopeless or helpless**
 * **feeling numb or empty**
 * **feeling anxious**
 * **feeling guilty and blaming yourself**
 * **unable to feel good or enjoy things that you do normally**
 * Thinking**
 * **being overly self-critical**
 * **believing you can't cope and that things are out of your control**
 * **difficulty making decisions and thinking clearly**
 * **poor concentrating and memory**
 * **thinking about suicide or ending your life**
 * Behaviour**
 * **lack of motivation and energy**
 * **crying a lot**
 * **Losing interest in activities you usually enjoy**
 * **Withdrawing from your friends and family or being more dependent on them**
 * **Increased use of alcohol or other drugs**
 * **Losing your temper more than usual**
 * Physical**
 * **Loss of appetite or over-eating**
 * **Changes in sleep patterns - difficulty getting to sleep, waking up in the middle of the night or sleeping for longer**
 * **Headaches or stomach aches**
 * **Feeling physically sick**
 * **Lack of interest in sex**
 * Everyone experiences some of these feelings or behaviours from time to time. However, for people experiencing depression the feelings might be more severe and they do not go away over time. If you are concerned that you are experiencing depression it is a good idea to see your local doctor or a psychologist. They should be able to help you make a diagnosis and provide you with the support for managing your depression.**

**Return to Mental Health**