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How Do I know If I Have Depression?

by Dr. Sarah Allen
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Sometimes people have been feeling less than happy for such a long time that it feels like their normal state and they may only start to question whether they have depression after a loved one has pointed it out. Surprisingly, symptoms of depression are not always connected to your mood and emotions, they can be physical too. Read on to see if you have been experiencing any of the symptoms below.

Common Emotional Symptoms of Depression

• Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. This can include thinking that nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation.

• Loss of interest in daily activities. Maybe you have lost your ability to feel joy and pleasure or perhaps former interests, hobbies and social activities no longer hold any interest.

Dr. Allen specializes in treatment for depression

• Anger or irritability. Perhaps you are feeling agitated, restless, or even so angry that you are violent or fear you might  be. Depression makes our tolerance level very low, our temper is on a short fuse, and everything and everyone just gets on your nerves.

• Self-loathing. You might be harshly criticizing yourself for perceived faults and mistakes. These are usually followed by strong feelings of worthlessness, guilt or shame.

•Reckless behavior. In order to try to escape such difficult feeling you might start to engage in escapist behavior such as substance abuse, compulsive gambling, reckless driving, or dangerous sports.

Common Physical Symptoms of Depression

• Appetite or weight changes. Significant weight loss or weight gain is often an indicator of depression. Some people feel they just don’t have an appetite any more while others push down their feelings with emotional eating

• Sleep changes. This can be either sleeping too little (insomnia) , difficulty getting off to sleep or waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping and sleeping during the day when most people are active (hypersomnia).

• Loss of energy. Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. Depression can make your whole body feel heavy, and even small tasks are exhausting and overwhelming or may take longer than usual to complete.

• Concentration problems. People often describe this as feeling foggy headed or they have trouble focusing, making decisions, and remembering things.

• Unexplained aches and pains. We can feel depression in our body, not just our head. When depression hits it is often accompanied by an increase in physical complaints such as headaches, back pain, achiness and stomach pain.

So what should you do if these symptoms are familiar? Reach out for help and support! Depression can have an enormous negative effect on your life but treatment is available and you can start to enjoy life again.

SIMPLE STEPS TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION ebookI put together this booklet with strategies I am always giving to my clients firstly, because they help and secondly, so clients can have something handy to refer to between sessions.

I am a big believer in giving handouts about the strategies we talk about during sessions because I think it is hard to remember everything. I also give new clients a folder so they will be able to keep all this information in one place. A sort of emotional health toolbox to get out and read when you need it.

Not everyone is able to come and to see me though so I decided to make these strategies available to everyone and I hope you find this booklet helpful too. I think it is a great way to get started but it is hard to do this on your own so please contact me with any questions you may have after reading it.

Add your first name and email in the box below and you will be sent the steps to download your FREE book and begin your journey to feeling better.

You've just been sent an email that contains a confirmation link. Check your SPAM/JUNK folder if you don't see it within a couple of minutes. In order to activate to receive your free booklet, click on the CONFIRM link and you will be sent a second email with the booklet. It may also be in your SPAM folder.

Please call 847 791-7722 or email me on the form below if you have any questions.

Also, I have several blog posts on my blog about depression and other issues that can affect the way you feel.

    Dr. Allen's professional license only allows her to work with clients who live in IL & FL and unfortunately does not allow her to give personalized advice via email to people who are not her clients.

    See related post: Isn’t There More Than One Type of Depression

    Filed Under: Depression Tagged With: counseling, Depression

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    You've just been sent an email that contains a confirmation link. Check your SPAM/JUNK folder if you don't see it within a couple of minutes. In order to activate to receive your free booklet, click on the CONFIRM link and you will be sent a second email with the booklet. It may also be in your SPAM folder.

    Testimonials

    When I started seeing you for therapy I felt so overwhelmed and trapped in daily battles with my three children. Thank you so much for all your help. It has really helped me gain a better perspective. I am now a role model for my children and help them worry less about things by teaching them the tools you taught me.

    Margaret R.

    When I first came to see Dr. Allen, I was sick of struggling with my weight. With her help, I realized that a lot of my eating habits were a way of dealing with the bad relationship I was in. With her support, I made some big changes in my life, increased my self-confidence and found better ways to deal with my stressful job. Now I don’t need to eat my way to feeling better, I have much better ways to cope with life’s difficulties.

    Ann C.

    I have always been on a diet and my mood went up and down as my weight did. My internist thought I might be depressed and referred me to Sarah. I was willing to give anything a try but really thought I just needed more self discipline to stick to my diet. By talking things through with her I quickly realized that not being able to stick to a diet wasn’t really about food, although I certainly craved sweets. I learned to notice how different emotions and situations triggered my overeating and Sarah showed me other ways that don’t involve food to deal with how I felt. I have a much better relationship with food now and don’t view it as the enemy. Sarah showed genuine concern and was very encouraging. I would recommend her services to anyone struggling with eating issues.

    Anonymous

    I first came to see Dr. Allen I was completely exhausted by battling with my son who has ADHD and angry outbursts. I have learned how to stay calm and that helps him stay calm too and we have a much better relationship. We still have our difficult days but I am in a better position to deal with them and at the end the day I am left feeling that I am done my best, not guilty that I have failed him. The techniques she taught me for helping him deal with his ADHD have been very useful for all of us.

    Cathy S.

    My baby didn’t sleep. She wouldn’t sleep more than a couple of hours at night and no more than 30 minutes during the day. I was completely overwhelmed and my husband and I were at each other’s throats. I was supposed to be going back to work but was barely functioning. Sarah helped us to learn how to get our baby sleeping and then she supported me in my transition back to work. She also helped my husband and I navigate how to share childcare and running the house fairly. She is such a knowledgeable doctor and has really helped us become a healthy, happy family.

    Pam. L.

    When I started seeing Dr. Allen for therapy I felt so overwhelmed and trapped in daily battles with my three children. Thank you so much for all your help. It has really helped me gain a better perspective. I am now a role model for my children and help them worry less about things by teaching them the tools you taught me.

    Margaret R.

    Thank you for all of your support. I am finally feeling so much better. I never thought I would get to such a good place in my life. Your voice and words of encouragement were extremely helpful.

    Sharon T.

    Thank you so much for all the support and counsel you have given me. You have made such a positive impact on my life and I very much appreciate it. I had some very dark days when I first came in to see you but I can now enjoy my life with my husband and two kids and I am emotionally present when I am with them.

    Katy W.

    I had heard great things about Dr. Allen from a friend so I decided to try her. I have had therapy in the past as I have experienced depression for many years but this is the most productive therapy I have ever had. I have really learned a lot and felt very supported. I feel my mood has improved greatly and my depression has significantly decreased. I would definitely recommend her if you are looking for a therapist.

    Andrew S.

    Dr. Allen has really helped me find my own voice. When I began therapy I would swing between being passive and doing whatever other people wanted me to do to being angry and frustrated. I have been on antidepressants for quite a few years but it wasn’t really working. Through therapy I have learned to listen to my own needs and to speak up. I used to worry that people wouldn’t like me if I didn’t agree with them but when Dr. Allen gave me the support I needed I challenged my fears. I spend a lot less time feeling angry and depressed now and I have really widened my social network. This is how I have always wanted to be but didn’t know how to get there. Dr. Allen has a very reassuring manner and makes you challenge yourself but by using small steps so you feel ready to do it. I have really come out of my shell and would recommend anyone who is feeling depressed to come and talk with her.

    Rebecca F.

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