 There is a big difference between just being sad and depression. Everyone feels sad now and then, such as when the family dog dies or a significant relationship falls apart.
Depression is far more serious. It's a clinical psychological condition. People may feel sad, down in the dumps, have no confidence, and feeling gloomy. Unlike sadness or temporary feelings of grief, depression lingers.
SEE YOUR DOCTOR WHEN ..... You experience at least four of these symptoms in either or both categories for at least two weeks.
DEPRESSION
___Feelings of guilt and worthlessness.
___Feeling helpless. ___Thoughts of death and/or suicide. ___Restlessness. ___Irritability. ___Difficulty concentrating or remembering. ___Difficulty making decisions. ___Decreased energy or fatigue. ___Loss of interest in ordinary activities. ___Loss of interest in sex. ___Persistent sadness, anxiousness or emptiness. ___Sleep problems, including insomnia. ___Over sleeping or waking up too early. ___Changes in appetite or weight gain/loss. ___Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism. MANIA
___Staying up for long hours, feeling like you don't need sleep.
___Extreme euphoria, like you are on top of the world, and could do anything. ___Grandiosity. ___Difficulty managing money, bouncing checks. ___Buy things you don't need. ___Can't balance your checkbook. ___Credit cards always maxed out. ___Getting into trouble with the law, not counting traffic tickets. Unless of course the traffic tickets are excessive! ___Start new projects before you finish the last ones, and nothing ever gets done. ___Promiscuity, sexually (loose living, having sex with several different partners). ___Get excited easily, talk too fast. Thoughts are excessive, run together and come rapidly. IF YOU CAN SAY YES TO FOUR OR MORE IN EITHER CATEGORY, AND THEY ARE HAPPENING FREQUENTLY. You may be Bipolar, please talk to your doctor. PLEASE, do not ever take this information in place of competent medical care. I am not a doctor, I simply share information to get you started in the right direction!!!
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