Sunday, October 31, 2010

Sadness and Depression

I am sure that all of us can agree, that we all feel sad at some point and it is a normal emotion that can make life more interesting. Sadness almost always accompanies a lose of some sort. Sadness helps us to appreciate happiness and when our mood changes from sadness to happiness, the sense of contrast adds to the enjoyment of the mood.

There is a big difference between sadness and depression - these are the signs to look out for.

Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
Restlessness, irritability
Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain.

If you are experiencing a few of these symptoms at the same time, it would be wise to visit your family doctor.

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