From my symptoms, please let me know if I am suffering from depression.

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a medical student and want to know about if I am suffering from depression. I have mood swings. My concentration in studies has decreased. I have lost interest in activities, especially my hobbies and I have recurrent thoughts coming now and then. Sometimes, I could not sleep, or I do sleep too much. I have lost social interaction and remains alone and separated from my friends. I am the same since four years. What to do?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

The sign and symptoms you have depicted are highly suggestive of depression. The standard features of depression are loss of pleasure in previously pleasurable activities, persistent sad or irritable mood, dysphoria (state of unease), lack of energy and enthusiasm, sleep disturbance, lack of concentration and indecisiveness, crying spells and ideas of worthlessness and hopelessness, etc. You should visit a psychiatrist as soon as possible and start antidepressant treatment. For your age, I would like to suggest SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) antidepressants like Escitalopram or Sertraline. Thank you.