Depression is a common issue that many people are facing in their day to day lives. At Imagine Hope we help people everyday on the road to recovery through depression. It is an extremely painful issue that plagues not only the person who has it, but their loved ones too. This week we will help you understand depression by explaining the signs and symptoms, show you how it effects relationships, and how to cope with it.

Depression Signs and Symptoms

• Feeling helpless and hopeless- Commonly characterized by thoughts that “nothing” will help and it will “never” get better.
• Loss of interest in regular activities- Change in desire and motivation to do daily tasks, even those you once enjoyed, including sex.
• Appetite or weight changes- a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month.
• Sleep changes- Either insomnia, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping (also known as hypersomnia).
• Irritability or restlessness- Feeling on edge and that things get on your nerves easier than before.
• Loss of energy- Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. Your whole body may feel heavy, and even small tasks are exhausting or take longer to complete.
• Self-loathing- Intense negative self-talk and feelings of unworthiness.
• Concentration problems- Difficulty staying focused, easily distracted and overwhelmed. Indecisive.
• Unexplained aches and pains. An increase in physical complaints such as headaches, back pain, aching muscles, and stomach pain.
• Isolation and changes in relationships- Abnormal desire to be alone and withdrawing from close relationships you once felt were part of your support system.
• Crying for no reason
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts

Check in tomorrow to see the impact depression has on relationships.

Written by Teri Claassen MSW, LCSW

Teri Claassen MSW, LCSW is a licensed therapist at Imagine Hope Counseling Group. Teri enjoys doing marriage counseling, individual counseling, couples and relationship counseling. Teri also does family counseling, child counseling, and adolescent counseling.  Imagine Hope serves the Indianapolis area, including the surrounding areas of Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Zionsville, and Westfield.