Chronic Depression Symptoms

Depression is considered to be one of the most common, yet devastatingly harmful psychological disorders. In fact, each one of us go through mild depression or several depression symptoms when we face a tough phase in life. However, if these depressive thoughts and attitudes become a part of our normal psyche, it is surely a matter of worry.

Depression in General

Depression occurs in different people at varying levels. While some people suffer from mild depression and do not even realize it throughout their lifetime, others suffer from chronic and more serious forms of depression that may complicate into other psychological disorders. When depression takes a clinical course and is mild in nature, it is known as dysthymia or chronic depression. In this sense, knowing the symptoms and being steadfast with depression relapse prevention is critical. Chronic depression is in no means as serious and harmful as major depression; the other type of depression. However, spotting chronic depression symptoms early is always helpful to get the right kind of treatment. Since chronic depression is mild in nature, spotting chronic depression symptoms may not always be as straightforward as one thinks. Again, since dysthymia can always take a turn for the worse and turn into major depression or at the worst depression and suicide, it is imperative to spot chronic depression symptoms well in time so it can be treated.

Signs of Chronic Depression

The following are some of the most common chronic depression signs that help doctors spot the disorder:

– Being in a sad and depressed mood on a regular and even daily basis is one of the leading chronic depression signs

– Chronic depression patients tend to loose enjoyment in daily activities as well as hobbies and activities of interest which would give them a lot of pleasure earlier

– A patient may also suffer from a major shift in weight

– Loss of sleep and insomnia is normal for most dysthymia patients

– Patients are often physically restless and feel run down on a regular basis as well

– Loss of energy, fatigue and lethargy become a part of everyday life

– Excessive guilt or feelings of hopelessness and helplessness are regular part of thought patterns of chronically depressed patients

– Decision making, concentration and attention span of dysthymic patients is usually weak

– One of the most worrisome chronic depression signs are suicidal thoughts and attempts

Diagnosing Chronic Depression

While all these signs may or may not be easy to spot, chronic depression diagnosis is best left a specialist in mental health. The first thing to keep in mind during chronic depression diagnosis is that all the mentioned signs and symptoms would have lasted for quite a while but none of them are as serious or intense as those in patients of major depression. Again, during chronic depression diagnosis, doctors also check for the possibility of these symptoms arising due to some physical conditions such as hypothyroidism. Any individual suffering from these symptoms for a week or more must check with a doctor to check for the possibility of chronic depression. The earlier this condition is detected, the easier it gets to treat chronic depression.