In general, if you've been experiencing some combination of the following emotional or physical symptoms for more than two weeks, and it clearly interferes with your life, discuss your concerns with your doctor:
| Emotional Sadness throughout the day, nearly every day Loss of interest in or enjoyment of your favorite activities Feelings of emptiness or hopelessness Feeling stressed, nervous, or overwhelmed Trouble concentrating or making decisions Feelings of worthlessness Excessive or inappropriate feelings of guilt Irritability or restlessness Thoughts of death or suicide | Physical Fatigue or lack of energy Sleeping too much or too little Change in appetite or weight Aches and pains Headache Back pain Digestive problems Dizziness |
Don't let this list of symptoms scare you. Treatments and therapies are available that can help ease and even eliminate the emotional and physical symptoms of depression.
Causes of Depression
There's no simple explanation for why people experience depression. It's a complex disease that may develop for a variety of reasons. It can affect anyone at any age, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or income level.
Some people become depressed after a major life change — the death of a loved one, a divorce, the loss of a job or a move. Even seemingly happy events, such as becoming a parent or getting married, can trigger depression. Or, even a smaller change can sometimes trigger depression.
Some risk factors for depression include:
- A family history of depression
- Death or illness of a loved one
- Stressful conflicts, such as fights with family members or disputes at work
- Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
- Major life events, such as moving, graduating from college, changing jobs, getting married or divorced, becoming a new parent, or retiring
- Financial difficulties
