"According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV), a diagnosis of “clinical depression” may be obtained based on prolonged manifestation of at least five of the following symptoms (Qualification: the symptoms must upset your normal routine and do not follow a major life upset, use of drugs or an illness.):
1. You feel sad most of the time.
2. You are numb to normal pleasures.
3. You have gained or lost weight without trying.
4. You cannot sleep.
5. You are nervous and distracted.
6. You have no energy.
7. You feel worthless.
8. You cannot focus or make decisions.
9. You have had thoughts of suicide."from Overcoming Depression, a series of articles by Steve Svendsen. The link will take you to the most current article, the seventh in the series. You will need to scroll down to get to the first.
There is hope.
7 comments:
But if there are 37 feet of snow outside your window and no bright shining orb hanging in the sky, your condition may be caused by SAD; unless of course your sleeplessness is caused by the annoying breathing sound of your spouse lying next you in which case you can just blame it all on the stupid perimenopause. Either way, if the symptoms create an urge to punch someone in the ribs or smother him with a pillow seek professional help!
P.S. I am totally joking, depression is a serious illness and if anyone cannot overcome the symptoms on their own they definitely should seek professional help. Thank you for this valuable information!
very true and this is sometimes where people have problems getting help becuase they dont want to be a burdan but getting help is sometimes the best thing for them i know myslef
thanks for sharing, love you.
It was good. but I kinda disagree with one of the qualifications. "major life upset" that can totally cause depression that won't go away! I know from personal experience that when something bad happens and you want revenge, and then when you finally see that revenge won't solve the problem, only make it worse, you want to get out, but then you can't. This results in self-injury, pain, heart-tearing (heart-ach doesn't go far enough) and you end up falling on your knees! But, the Lord is merciful to all.
That would have been me until a year and a half ago. Insomnia is an awful thing, and it leads to most of the issues you listed. I am still trying to fight it, cannot sleep more than 2-3 hours without Lunestra, but it seems to not be working as well as it did at the start :-( Sunshine and smiling people help a lot!
Are you rooting for the Packers? They are kicking the Steelers' patooties right now!
Hugs!
I think that the 'you end up falling on your knees' part is not a one-time fix, but needed repeatedly, daily, sometimes hourly, for we were never meant to go through this life alone. The tough, self-sufficient, independent person (especially admired in America)is something many of us grew up thinking was the greatest aspiration. Then we learn that humbling ourselves before God, casting our care upon Him and leaning on Him, trusting Him, waiting upon Him, basking in His mercies, is where real life begins.
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