In a recent post here on CantSleep, I alluded to the fact that I ruled out clinical depression as the cause for my case of insomnia. However, an appreciable percent of those having trouble sleeping do suffer from clinical depression. It is important to know the signs of clinical depression, whether relating to yourself or seen within a loved one. If anyone around you is displaying the signs of clinical depression, it is important that they seek immediate professional help. Left untreated, clinical depression can prove fatal. Signs of clinical depression can include:

– Decreased energy levels and fatigue
– Insomnia
– Loss of interest in work and/or hobbies
– Disinterest in sex
– Sudden temper and irritability
– Sudden change in eating habits including either weight gain or loss
– Persistent thoughts of death
– Minor but chronic aches and pains

If you — or someone you love — is showing the signs of clinical depression, then seeking help can prove to be a lifesaver. Unfortunately, suicide claims the lives of tens of thousands on an annual basis, and proactive treatment could have prevented virtually all of them. Modern treatment for clinical depression is highly effective, and once treated those who suffer from clinical depression can lead normal and happy lives. Hopefully this information can spur someone out there to take the first — and most important — step by recognizing the signs of clinical depression and seeking help.

Hi Everyone,

Barnaby here. On a sour note, my sleep travails remain unabated. The past week has only allowed me one decent night’s sleep in between quite a few nights of tossing and turning. Instead of complaining about my own sleep issues, I wanted to start an important discussion about clinical depression. Once you recognize the signs of clinical depression, what are the best depression treatments? The answer to that question depends upon the nature of your individual case, and a full diagnosis and treatment regimen can only be devised by a qualified mental health care provider. Some who are diagnosed with clinical depression receive depression treatments including psychotherapy and group therapy as opposed to medications. As the above video illustrates, the future might hold gene treatment which can treat — or even prevent — clinical depression. However, for now, therapy and pharmaceuticals remain the salient depression treatments.

The majority of those with the disorder receive depression treatments including anti-depressants and/or mood stabilizers. These pharmacological depression treatments have been shown to be highly effective, and today’s depression treatment drugs have far fewer side effects than those of past times. It is important to remain cognizant that none of these treatment solutions provide for an overnight cure. It is paramount to stay the course with your prescribed depression treatments, and retain hope that there will be sunnier days. I’ll be back here at CantSleep again soon. I’d like to thank everyone who has sent in suggestions, tips and sympathies regarding my nagging insomnia. Hopefully I’ll have good news to post soon!

Barnaby

Clinical depression entails both psychological as well as physical manifestations. Most of us are aware of the psychological signs of depression including feelings of sadness, hopelessness and emptiness. However, many are unaware that there are physical symptoms of depression. Remaining cognizant of these physical symptoms of depression allows one to know what to look for — and when to get help.

One of the most salient physical symptoms of depression relates to your sleep habits. Chronic insomnia could be caused by clinical depression. Conversely, some who suffer from depression sleep excessively and have a hard time dragging themselves out of bed. An abrupt change in sleep patterns can often prove to be the first of the physical symptoms of depression to arise. Constant fatigue and exhaustion also are indicative to poor sleeping, and they are also independent physical symptoms of depression in their own rights.

Many who are clinically depressed experience other ailments including frequent headaches, back pain as well as other aches and pains throughout the body. Obviously, not all minor aches and pains are due to depression, but when taken in context with other psychological symptoms of depression they can yield helpful clues when it comes to a depression diagnosis. Some patients with depression actually experience chest pains as one of their physical symptoms of depression, and in the most severe instances it can be mistaken for a real heart attack.

A sudden change in weight is also a salient physical manifestation of clinical depression. This can be in either direction — rapid weight gain or alternatively unexplained weight loss. Clinical depression can also entail digestive problems including nausea and/or constipation. As with other physical symptoms of depression, many of these can be attributed to other ailments or just the daily rigors of life — however, when they occur consequent to sleep pattern changes you should take notice.

Clinical depression entails different signs for each individual. What might be physical symptoms of depression in one person might be harmless minor maladies in another. In the end, only a qualified mental health professional can make an accurate depression diagnosis. If you think you are experiencing some of these physical symptoms of depression, then the time to act is now.

Depression screening historically was a hit or miss affair, but today it has evolved into a scientific multi-stage diagnostic regimen able to pinpoint depression signs and symptoms facilitating the correct depression diagnosis. Mental health practitioners can avail themselves of a multiplicity of initial depression screening tools. These include the General Health Questionnaire, the Zung Self-Assessment Depression Scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Study Depression Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory among several others. These preliminary depression screening tests enable practitioners to focus in on a clinical depression diagnosis in cases where the circumstances warrant it.

These initial depression screening tests are just the first phase of a multi-pronged diagnostic approach. Patients who score high for depression probability on the given initial depression screening test can then be analyzed by utilizing extended interviews and scrutiny of whether other depression signs and symptoms are present. It is often hard to discern between fleeting normal emotional variations and instances of actual clinical depression. The duration of the applicable emotions is a key indicator — most experts agree that feelings of sadness, hopelessness or loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities for more than two weeks is indicative of clinical depression.

Clinical depression is widespread. Recent studies have quantified that depression entails a cost upon society higher than cancer or cardiovascular disease. Depression is insidious because those who suffer from it often are unaware of its presence. Although depression screening efficiency has reached high levels, many who suffer from it never take the first step of seeking a depression screening. Several of the depression screening tools listed above have exhibited over 90% success rates, but a test is only useful if a patient arrives to take it. If you are experiencing violent mood swings, extended feelings of sadness or intense apathy, then the culprit could be clinical depression.

Trouble sleeping can also be a sign of depression. Periodic insomnia is suffered by many, but a sudden onset of having trouble falling asleep night after night can be a symptom of depression. Fatigue during the day or oversleeping can also be depression signs and symptoms — a full depression screening can determine whether depression is the root cause of your sleep troubles, or whether your insomnia is caused by something else entirely. Those who suffer from chronic insomnia should definitely ascertain whether depression could be a contributing factor.

Clinical depression is exceedingly difficult to diagnose because it manifests itself differently within each patient. Depression signs and symptoms can vary widely, however, when they last beyond brief periods these indicators should be scrutinized with an eye towards whether they warrant further investigation. Being upset because of a break-up with your partner or losing a job is perfectly normal — not all depression signs and symptoms are a concern when exhibited within a justifying context and brief in duration. However, experiencing these otherwise normal negative emotions for extended periods of time should give pause for concern, and — in some scenarios — they can constitute possible depression signs and symptoms.

Some of the most salient depression signs and symptoms can be seen within your sleep habits. Although occasional bouts of insomnia are completely normal, chronic insomnia can be one of the symptoms of clinical depression. Conversely, oversleeping can also be supportive of a depression diagnosis. Clinical depression can interfere with our normal thought processes and result in losing concentration and the inability to make decisions. It is obviously difficult to discern whether these behavioral nuances are just personal eccentricities, or whether they constitute applicable depression signs and symptoms. A depression screening conducted by a qualified professional is able to differentiate between harmless vagaries of human emotions versus pathologies warranting a clinical depression diagnosis.

Feelings that nothing matters anymore — often characterized by helplessness, hopelessness and apathy — are telltale depression signs and symptoms. Clinical depression can be so overwhelming that those who suffer from it feel there is no escape — or even worse that the only escape is through death. Fixation with, or constant discussion about, death is a very concerning depression sign which justifies immediate mental health intervention. This apathy can extend to former interests including hobbies, studies, work — or even sex. A sudden and extended loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed are among the most common depression signs and symptoms.

A substantial change in appetite is also a sign of clinical depression. This can apply in either direction — both overeating as well as sudden weight loss. Having unexplained constant minor aches and pains can be quite normal, but it also can be indicative of depression in some circumstances. These depression signs and symptoms can be quite difficult to discern in the proper context, and only a professional mental health practitioner can make a definitive depression diagnosis. However, it is up to you to remain cognizant of what the initial depression signs and symptoms are in order to know when it is time to seek help.

When it comes to the cause of depression within both adults and children, much remains unknown. However, researchers have identified a wide range of potential causes which practitioners can remain vigilant for when conducting a depression screening. The root cause of depression in a given case can be either biological or psychological. Obviously, events like the death of a loved one can be an environmental cause of depression, while certain diseases and conditions can prove to be the predicate of a biological cause of depression. Clinical depression is a serious disorder, and it can interfere with all facets of our lives ranging from job performance to insomnia and other sleep-related depression signs and symptoms.

Life situations can often be a major cause of depression. Examples include depression emanating from physical or emotional abuse, death of a loved one, a divorce, loss of a job or other major life changes. In some of these scenarios, depression will not appear for quite some time after the underlying trigger event. This can be akin to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) where the symptoms of the disease are not seen until several years after the stressors ceased. The grieving associated with death can also be a cause of depression — death is always “depressing” in general, however, some of us cross the line into actual clinical depression as a result of the departure of someone close to us.

Environmental causes of depression often revolve around the workplace and/or financial issues. These two arenas are often intertwined. A change of employers — or a job change within the same employer — can lead to depression. This is especially salient when these type of life changes occur consequent to another known cause of depression. Some behaviors can lead to biologically-induced depression. Over 30% of substance abusers have shown to be experiencing depression. It is often difficult to ascertain which came first — the depression or the substance abuse. Many abuse substances as a form of self-medication to address pre-existing clinical depression. Genetics can be a cause of depression, and some of us might just be born to have a higher propensity to experience it independent of outside life events.

Determining the cause of depression in a particular case is often difficult, and it is of secondary concern. The primary importance is to recognize depression signs and symptoms which is required in order to then pursue treatments aimed at identifying and rectifying the root cause of depression in the case at hand. Changes in sleep patterns often prove to be a telltale sign of depression, and those with persistent insomnia or inability to get out of bed in the morning should investigate whether depression is contributing to their sleep issues. The good news is that there now are several effective treatments for depression — the most important step is to recognize the problem and take the first steps to address it.

In past decades, various forms of mental illness were all lumped together resulting in a generalized diagnosis. Today, mental health professionals are able to pinpoint symptoms enabling a specific type depression diagnosis. The term depression is actually an umbrella categorization which includes several types of depression within it. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is one form of clinical depression which occurs only during certain times of the year. Bipolar disorder, otherwise known as manic depression, is a depression diagnosis relating to those who experience rapid and dramatic mood swings. A chronic depression diagnosis indicates the condition is projected to remain static unlike the SAD variety of clinical depression.

Whereas most doctors utilize high tech machines and blood tests to diagnose physical ailments, mental health professionals must derive their depression diagnosis from a review of your symptoms, case history and results of verbal interviews. In many respects, depression screening is as much of an art as it is a science. This is due to the fact that clinical depression manifests itself differently within individual patients. While some suffering from depression become detached, withdrawn and apathetic, others act out with irritability and rage. Practitioners must look at the totality of your symptoms in order to determine whether you have clinical depression — and if so, which form of depression has beset you.

Seeing that clinical depression can have genetic roots, a part of the depression diagnosis regimen is to review your family history. Many patients wonder what their sibling’s or parents’ mental health history has to do with anything, but these questions are asked for a good reason. A history of clinical depression within your family can be a vital clue within the depression diagnosis process. Your appetite, work performance, relationship statuses and personal financial situation can all also provide clues enabling a correct depression diagnosis — which explains why your practitioner is asking these seemingly random questions.

Your sleep habits also can serve as the proverbial canary in the coal mine when it comes to making a depression diagnosis. Insomnia, restlessness and wakeful early hours can all be signs of clinical depression. Conversely, some with clinical depression experience the opposite symptoms being unable to get out of bed in the morning and sleeping during large portions of the day. Although there could be a variety of causes of insomnia, clinical depression is among the most salient and widespread.

Those who are experiencing persistent feelings of hopelessness — or have violent mood swings — could be afflicted with clinical depression. The good news is that there are a variety of excellent treatments now available ranging from pharmaceuticals to therapy. The most important first step is to receive an accurate depression diagnosis enabling you to embark upon your road to recovery.

Manic depression is touching my soul
I know what I want but I just don’t know
How to, go about gettin’ it
Feeling sweet feeling,
Drops from my fingers, fingers
Manic depression is catchin’ my soul

-Jimi Hendrix, “Manic Depression”

Everyone has occasion to feel sad, lonely or “depressed”. This is normal, and it has always been a component of human life. However, some of us experience these feelings with great intensity, or for extended periods of time, such that it becomes what is classified as “clinical depression”. When left untreated, clinical depression can be debilitating and, in the worst circumstances, can lead to suicide. In fact, over 10% of those with untreated clinical depression commit suicide. Consequently, recognizing clinical depression symptoms becomes imperative in order to effectuate treatment before the more serious outcomes can manifest themselves. Clinical depression symptoms are wide ranging, and they are often hard to discern unless you are vigilantly looking out for them.

Our sleep patterns are a major telltale when it comes to diagnosing clinical depression. Changes in sleep are among the most salient clinical depression symptoms, and this can be on either end of the spectrum — sudden insomnia or constant fatigue and oversleeping. Changes in sleep habits in either direction can indicate clinical depression, and this is especially true when they occur parallel to other clinical depression symptoms. Daytime fatigue and inability to concentrate are related clinical depression symptoms. Signs like this are often subtle, and they can be written off as just being overworked or otherwise stressed. Irritability and restlessness also constitute depression signs and symptoms, and they likewise are often mistakenly attributed to things other than clinical depression.

A sudden change in outlook can also be one of the signs of clinical depression. This most often takes the form of overwhelming pessimism, feelings of hopelessness, pangs of guilt and constant restlessness and/or anxiety. Again, these reactions are entirely appropriate at certain junctures of life — but a healthy individual will quickly recover from them whereas those suffering from clinical depression will not. Duration of the apparent clinical depression symptoms is most often what differentiates normal cycles of life from a depression diagnosis. Loss of interest in work, hobbies or even sex are also clinical depression symptoms. Changes in eating patterns, which can include either sudden weight gain or alternatively weight loss, can occur within the context of clinical depression.

The most concerning clinical depression symptoms surround fixation with death or other morbid events. Constant discussion of death — especially within the context of an escape — is a very serious sign of depression which warrants immediate treatment. Overwhelming feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. which result in desiring an escape even as drastic as death, are prototypical clinical depression symptoms — and those experiencing them should take the potentially life-saving step of seeking treatment from a mental health professional.