Signs of Clinical Depression: Christian Counseling for Depression in Plano, Texas

Clinical depression is more than just feeling unhappy or down in response to the upsetting circumstances or setbacks of everyday life. Also known as major depressive disorder, it is a mental health condition that affects the way you think, feel, act, and perceive the world, and is not something you can simply force yourself to snap out of. At Plano Christian Counseling, we offer faith-based therapy for signs of clinical depression in Plano, Texas.

The most distinguishing signs of clinical depression are a persistent, pervasive low mood without clear cause and a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed.

Common Signs of Clinical Depression

Signs of clinical depression can vary widely between people and may last for weeks or months. The following are some of the most common ones.

Psychological signs

• constant sadness
• apathy
• feeling down
• low self-esteem
• feelings of guilt
• low self-worth
• tearfulness
• irritability
• anger
• low tolerance level
• frustration over small matters
• difficulty focusing or making decisions
• forgetfulness
• lack of motivation
• loss of interest in things you normally enjoy
• feeling helpless and hopeless
• anxiety
• feelings of impending doom
• recurring thoughts of death, suicide, or harming yourself

Physical signs

• moving or speaking slower than normal
• loss of appetite
• binge eating
• significant weight loss or weight gain
• unexplained aches and pains
• lack of energy
• fatigue
• trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• loss of sexual desire
• engaging in escapist behavior such as substance abuse or binge-watching TV

Behavioral signs Behavioral signs of clinical depression may include isolating yourself, avoiding contact with friends, withdrawing from social activities, and/or neglecting hobbies, pastimes, and other interests such as sports that you used to pursue.

To receive a diagnosis of clinical depression, you must have experienced five or more of the symptoms listed above for most of the day, every day, for at least two weeks. Two of them must include low mood and loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, with none of them better attributable to some other cause such as a different medical or mental health condition, side effects of a medication, or substance abuse.

Differences in Signs Between Men And Women

Studies indicate that although depression affects both men and women, there tend to be some notable differences between the genders as far as the symptoms they manifest and the ways they try to cope with them.

Women, for instance, are twice as likely as men to experience depression but are more in tune with their emotions, and more willing to reach out for help. Men, on the other hand, tend to view emotional vulnerability as unmanly and are reluctant to seek help for their depressive symptoms.

Signs of clinical depression that are more common in women include crying, self-criticism, feelings of worthlessness, self-condemnation, increased eating, mood swings, and weight gain.

Men are more likely to appear angry and irritable, have memory problems, engage in risky behaviors, experience physical symptoms such as heart palpitations and digestive issues, and turn to substance use as a way of coping with their emotional pain. They are also four times more likely to commit suicide than women.

Chrisitan Counseling for Depression in Plano, Texas

The good news is that clinical depression is highly treatable. Talk therapy in Plano, Texas is a common first-line choice of treatment that is highly effective. Interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can teach you how to recognize and challenge distorted thought patterns and learn new ways of thinking, coping, and relating to others.

Lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, getting enough sleep, eating a healthy, balanced diet, and practicing stress management routines such as deep breathing and grounding techniques, play an important part in helping alleviate symptoms of depression and promoting overall well-being.

If you are experiencing signs of clinical depression and would like to set up a risk-free appointment to meet with one of the faith-based counselors in Plano, Texas, please give us a call today at Plano Christian Counseling.