Question: Are You Depressed or Just Feeling Down?

Everyone feels down once in awhile, and for many of us enduring stressful times in our lives, it can truly feel overwhelming. But how do you know if you’re clinically depressed and should see a professional for help? Clinical depression goes beyond what would be considered normal sadness or feeling bleak.

Take this questionnaire and put a check next to each statement that is true for you:

___ I have a predominant mood that is depressed, sad, blue, hopeless, low, or irritable, which may include periodic crying spells

___ I have a lack of appetite, even for my favorite foods, or significant weight loss, or conversely increased appetite or weight gain

___ I have a sleep problem of either too much sleep (hypersomnia), or too little sleep (hyposomnia)

___ I feel agitated (restless) or sluggish (low energy or fatigue)

___ I have lost interest or pleasure in usual activities

___ I have decreased sex drive

___ I feel worthless and/or very guilty

___ I have problems with concentration or remembering things

___ I have thoughts of death, suicide, or wishing to be dead

If you put checks next to at least 5 of the above statements and the symptoms have occurred daily for two weeks or more, you are considered clinically depressed.

Based on what we’ve learned from Spine-health.com’s back pain community, I would add that chronic back pain and any type of chronic pain that seems unresponsive to treatments is also a cause (and/or a symptom) of depression.

If this is the case for you, please find professional help promptly. There are a wide range of anti-depressant medications available that have helped a lot of people and many types of therapy that can also help. Visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness to learn more about treatment options.

Posted by: Stephanie

Sources:

Depression and Chronic Back Pain

American Psychiatric Association. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th Ed. Washington, DC.1994

Also see: Depression Guide