Symptoms of depression
Diagnosis of depression is not always easy as there could be an underlying cause. An emotional upset can cause symptoms of depression but feeling depressed for a few days does not warrant a diagnosis of depression. In such cases, taking depression medication such as anti-depressant drugs may be inappropriate.
There is a vast difference in feeling depressed and suffering from clinical depression where the level of despondency is unrelenting and overwhelming. The feeling of being trapped in a constant state of hopelessness and despair also does not necessary mean the patient feels sad.
The patient may be carrying on with everyday activities but does so without emotion nor interest – they merely go through the motions, all the while feeling empty and apathetic.
For some people, recovery from severe depression requires a combination of medical and therapy. Some people respond well to medication with the effect of reducing depression, however given the side effects some medication may have, close supervision by qualified physicians is necessary.
Symptoms of depression can vary from one person to another. While someone may experience depression in the form of deep sadness, another person may experience it as emptiness and listlessness without taking any pleasure in anything he does.
Therefore, even if the signs of depression appear similar, the underlying cause of depression may vary. Thus, the effect of similar drugs prescribed to patients also may vary in effectiveness.
Unless the depression itself is successfully dealt with using a combination of medication and therapy, the physical symptoms of depression will remain. However treating the physical symptoms does not resolve the depression.
