Maybe you haven’t felt like yourself in weeks or months. You used to be cheerful and energetic, and even when you ran into obstacles, you were able to overcome challenges and come out the other side stronger. But now, you can’t remember the last time you felt truly happy. You’re wondering what happened to your old self and why you fell into this rut. At times, you might even worry that you’re physically ill simply because you’ve felt so sluggish.
Clinical depression can sneak up without warning – and this mental health condition can affect anyone. Here are a few warning signs of clinical depression, as well as a few common treatment options.
No Link to Specific Events or Circumstances
Sometimes, it’s easy to pinpoint why you’ve been struggling and feeling down. Losing a loved one, moving to a city where you don’t know anyone, or getting fired from a job can lead to circumstantial depression.
However, clinical depression can crop up without a connection to any particular events or life changes. In fact, on the outside, it might seem like everything is going quite well for you. Yet on the inside, you’re deeply unhappy. Even if you have a good job and supportive friends, you can’t seem to muster up any joy.
Persistent Low Moods
Many people assume that depression is characterized by overwhelming sadness. This is true for some people with clinical depression, but it’s not always the case. You might have days where you feel the burden of heavy sadness, and you cry on and off for seemingly no reason. But people struggling with clinical depression often simply feel numb.
This condition can cause persistent low moods, resulting in a loss of interest in your old favorite hobbies and activities. It can seem like all of your emotions are blunted, and you no longer have the energy or intrinsic motivation to pursue your passions or spend time with your loved ones.
Physical Health Problems
Clinical depression can leave you tossing and turning at night. You might suffer from insomnia, or you might feel as though no matter how many hours you sleep, you still feel exhausted the next day.
Even if you used to have a big appetite, now you never feel particularly hungry. Alternatively, you might find yourself reaching for comfort foods at every meal just to soothe your emotions, which can lead to nausea. Sometimes, you may even feel physically tense and achy because you’ve been sedentary for so long.
How Long Does Clinical Depression Last?
Experiencing these symptoms for a few days to a week does not mean that you have clinical depression. After all, everyone hits a rough patch once in a while, and it’s not necessarily an indicator of a serious mental health condition.
Someone must experience these symptoms continuously for a minimum of two weeks before a medical professional will consider a diagnosis of clinical depression. However, many people with clinical depression deal with these symptoms for several weeks, months, or even years before receiving an official diagnosis. Furthermore, people can recover from their symptoms and feel better for a while, only to get hit with these symptoms again months to years later.
Treatment Options
There are a variety of treatment options for people with clinical depression. You might benefit from sessions in talk therapy. Some people also find that medication alleviates their symptoms. Additionally, many people with clinical depression do see advantages from making healthy lifestyle changes with support.
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If you’re struggling with the symptoms of clinical depression, seeing a therapist can help. Reach out to us to discuss your options for scheduling your first session.