Diagnosing depression

Everybody has a day or two when they feel some sadness. Perhaps you’re a little under the weather; maybe something unpleasant has happened. This tends to pass, however, and is temporary.

Depression, on the other hand, drags on for weeks or months. It affects your mood and thoughts, and impacts on you physically, acting on the way you eat and sleep. Studies find that people with depression are also more likely to develop such serious diseases as heart disease and diabetes.

Classic symptoms of depression include:
• Difficulty concentrating
• Short-term memory loss
• Pessimism
• Loss of enjoyment in activities you once found pleasurable
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Changes in appetite
• Lack of sexual desire
• Difficulty sleeping.

You can make lifestyle changes to help with depression. But if your symptoms last for two weeks or more, you may need more than home remedies. Make an appointment to see your doctor.