Health Ministry

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Depression - The Symptoms

Depression is often defined as sadness, hopelessness, discouragement or simply feeling “down in the dumps.” Sometimes, people deny they are sad, yet they look like they are about to cry at the drop of a hat. Some people complain of feeling “blah,” having no feelings, or feeling nervous. Some people report somatic complaints such as bodily aches and pains.

Many people report irritability, increased anger, responding to events with angry outbursts, blaming others, or have an exaggerated sense of frustration over minor matters. In children and adolescents, an irritable or cranky mood may develop rather than sadness. They often have an irritable look on their face.

Many people report a loss of interest in activities in which they once found pleasurable, such as their hobbies. Family members notice that the individual seems socially withdrawn.

Basic body functions are often impaired. There may be a significant reduction in sexual interest or desire. Appetite is often reduced and many people report feeling they have to force themselves to eat. Some individuals crave sweets or carbohydrates, which may result in weight gain. In infants, there is poor suck, disinterest and unresponsiveness during feedings, which may eventually lead to a failure to thrive. Eating disorders may develop in children and adolescents. Sleep disturbance is common. Most often, people report middle insomnia, waking during the night and an inability to fall asleep again or terminal insomnia, waking too early and being unable to return to sleep. Initial insomnia, difficulty falling asleep may occur. Some people report hypersomnia, which is oversleeping.

Many people report psychomotor changes. These changes may be agitation, including the inability to sit still, pacing, hand-wringing, pulling or rubbing skin and clothing or psychomotor retardation, such as slowed speech, slowed thinking processes, slowed body movements, long response times to questions, and speech that is decreased in volume, inflection, amount or variety of content or even muteness.

Some people report decreased energy, tiredness and fatigue. Even the smallest task requires significant energy. Simple self care routines such as washing and dressing each day take twice as long.

There is an overall sense of worthlessness and guilt, often to delusional levels. Some people ruminate over their past minor failings. Neutral events are often personalized and serve as evidence of personal defects and failures. There is a pervasive inability to think, concentrate or make decisions. Many people complain of poor memory and of being easily distracted. In children and adolescents, academic decline is prevalent. Family members are often concerned that their aging parent may be developing dementia.

Some people report auditory and visual hallucinations. Children frequently report hearing things and seeing things that no one else can see or hear.

Thoughts of death, suicide ideation and ultimately suicide attempts result from distorted thoughts that the world, their family and they themselves would be better off if the individual were dead. Suicidality is associated with overwhelming feelings of hopelessness. While there are cases of suicide reported among children, teens and adults, the elderly are at highest risk for suicide. The lowest rate of suicide attempts is reported among those with a spiritual/religious connection.

Parish Bulletin
5/25/03

To be continued next week…………