Overcoming Depression – Do these symptoms describe you?

• 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 you once enjoyed, including sex
• Insomnia, early-morning awakening or oversleeping
• Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
• Decreased energy, fatigue, being `slowed down’
• Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts
• Restlessness, irritability
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders and chronic pain

If several of these symptoms apply to you, you probably already know that there’s something wrong. You could be suffering from depression and need help. There is plenty of medical assistance available. Make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible for a proper assessment. Why stay in this agony for any longer than you need to! Just remember that depression is a physical illness and needs to be treated medically.

Overcoming depression can be like an emotional whirlwind. It’s not easy but there is light at the end of your journey of overcoming depression. I have suffered from depression myself, but am well recovered and have come through as a far more whole person.

Please read some of my other articles about overcoming depression on this site. These include most of what I learnt on my journey and helped me overcome depression. My most sincere hope is that it will help you as well.