by Randy Dellosa, psychiatrist-clinical psychologist-life coach
Everyday of my working life, I meet people who are clinically depressed. I've found out that many depressed people don't actually know that they're depressed. They just know that they're not their usual selves and they feel that something is wrong with them.
Well, here's the checklist I use to assess whether a person has depression or not. To consider yourself as clinically depressed, you must have at least 5 of the following symptoms:
* Feelings of sadness, irritability, or anger
* Loss of motivation, initiative, interest, or enjoyment
* Changes in your sleep pattern
* Changes in your appetite
* Changes in your energy level
* Poor self-esteem, self-confidence, or self-image
* Overthinking, especially of negative thoughts, worries, concerns
* Poor focus or concentration
* Wishing that God would take you, or having thoughts of hurting/killing yourself
* Loss of motivation, initiative, interest, or enjoyment
* Changes in your sleep pattern
* Changes in your appetite
* Changes in your energy level
* Poor self-esteem, self-confidence, or self-image
* Overthinking, especially of negative thoughts, worries, concerns
* Poor focus or concentration
* Wishing that God would take you, or having thoughts of hurting/killing yourself
Simplistically speaking, if you are clinically depressed, it means that there is a serotonin imbalance in your brain that is causing your depression. Thus, you need a serotonin balancer (a.k.a. antidepressant) to balance your serotonin.
The good news is that with the right antidepressant at the right dosage, depressed people recover quickly within 2-3 weeks. The "right" antidepressant is one that is should make you happy, energetic, and productive within 2-3 weeks and should not give you any unwanted side effects. Otherwise, the antidepressant should be changed.
Aside from antidepressant medication, you will also benefit from talk therapy, wellness therapies (acupuncture, hypnotherapy, EFT, supplements, massage, etc.), and stress management techniques.
So. if you are clinically depressed, don't dilly dally. Seek professional help NOW! Remember that with the right treatment, you'll feel much better within just 2-3 weeks.
Oh, and by the way, kahit "emo" ka lang ay clinically depressed ka rin!
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