What are the symptoms of depression?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am an 18-year-old girl. There are a lot of problems going on in my life. I constantly keep crying, and I have nobody to understand me. I am also not able to sleep properly and am not even able to concentrate on my studies properly.

I think it is depression, but my parents are not really understanding, so they do not know. I think they do not even care. I do not know what to do.

I would like some help. Please help me.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. Teenage can be a difficult time of life. A lot of emotional and physical changes occur within us which we may find difficult to understand and deal with.

Our role in society is also a bit blurred at this stage of life. We are grown up physically but are not mature enough to deal with the complexities of family and social life. We often find ourselves ambivalent and indecisive about things and relationships. So I totally empathize with you.

Now coming to your problem, depression is diagnosed when a person has three or more of the following symptoms,

1. Feeling sad most of the time for at least two weeks.

2. When he or she no longer feels pleasure in previously pleasurable activities.

3. Feel lethargic, irritable ambivalent.

4. Disturbed sleep.

5. It feels like crying most of the time.

6. Feels worthless, helpless, and hopeless.

7. Loss of appetite.

If you think you are having the above symptoms, I suggest you visit a psychiatrist at the earliest.

Thank you.