Depression Symptoms

Depression Symptoms

According to the DSM-IV (a psychiatric classification system) there is a depression if at least five of the following symptoms have been present for at least two weeks. The symptoms must indicate a change from previous functioning. At least one of the symptoms is depressive mood (1) or reduction in interest and pleasure (2).

Depressive mood (or irritability in children and adolescents) during almost the entire day, almost every day.

Clear reduction of interest in or pleasure in (almost) all activities, during almost the entire day, almost every day.

Unintentional, obvious weight loss or unintentional weight gain, or a decrease or increase in appetite. In children there may be a lack of expected weight gain.

Sleep complaints: not being able to sleep (sufficiently), having to sleep too much, almost every day.

Psychomotor excitement or inhibition almost every day.

Tiredness or loss of energy almost every day.

Feelings of worthlessness, or serious or inadequate feelings of guilt.

Decrease in the ability to think, concentrate, or indecision.

Feelings of despair, thoughts of suicide, fantasies about suicide without specific plans, a suicide attempt or a specific plan for suicide. Not just the fear of dying.

Knowing more? Do the depression self-test.

Symptoms in children

Depression can also occur in younger children. 1 to 2% of children between the ages of six and twelve have a depression. Instead of gloomy and lifeless, depressed children are mainly irritable and busy.

In addition, they often think negatively and can quickly feel guilty and unloved. Symptoms of childhood depression may include:

Sleep problems

Nightmares

Loss of appetite

Inexplicable physical pain

Poorer school performance

Behavioral changes.

Boys become unmanageable and girls more often show withdrawal behavior.

Recognizing depression in children is important. Just as in adults, childhood depression can be effectively treated with cognitive behavioral therapy. In children with depression, we often see consequences in social life (for example, fewer friendships) and school performance (such as under-performing). It is therefore precisely at a young age that it is important for the child to feel good and to develop fully. If depression gets in the way, it requires an approach that usually involves the family and / or the school.

For more information about childhood depression, see: Depression in Children and Adolescents

From gloom to depression

Everyone has felt gloomy at times and did not feel like the things around them. These kinds of feelings are very normal and in most cases will naturally go away again.

This is different when the underlying cause of the somber feelings is depression. In this case, the gloomy mood and the loss of interest and pleasure can get worse and the feelings can persist for a long time. The dividing line between 'normal gloominess' and having depression is sometimes difficult to determine.

A disadvantage of this is that people may be tempted to wait until 1) it goes away on its own or 2) until the symptoms increase, while it would be better to seek help. Recognizing and recognizing complaints early and seeking help at an early stage increases the effectiveness of the treatment and can prevent the depression from being unnecessarily long.

It is wise to be aware of the signals that may be a precursor to the development of depression. You can look at First Depression Signals as an aid to recognize depression at an early stage. Note: the presence of one signal or combinations of several of the signals is not sufficient to speak of depression. It can also fall within the normal range.

Therefore see it mainly as warnings and to increase the alertness that there is a chance of developing a depression. In the case of depression, the rule is that this is only referred to when certain symptoms are more or less present during two full weeks.