Is Depression affecting your Weight?

Every year about 18.8 million American adults suffer from depression. The majority of these sufferers will not seek treatment.  Depression can interfere with normal, everyday functions. It cannot only affect the person suffering from the disorder but also family and friends close to them. ....
A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats, sleeps, the way one feels about themselves, and the way one thinks about things.

Depression is not the same as a blue mood. It is not something that can be willed or wished away. It is a lasting sad mood that causes a person to lose interest and pleasure in activities they once enjoyed.

A person with depression cannot simply “pull themselves out of it”. Without treatment, symptoms can last for several months or even years.

Symptoms of Depression
• A very sad, empty mood lasting for at least a 2 week period
• Loss of interest and pleasure in most activities
• Changes in weight or appetite
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• Loss of energy or feeling tired often
• Difficulty making decisions or concentrating
• Feeling overwhelmed with minor tasks
• Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt
• Headaches
• Low sex drive

For someone who is clinically depressed, the person must have 5 or more of these symptoms and they must have lasted for at least 2 weeks.

If you are suffering from these symptoms and they have persisted for 2 weeks or longer, you should see your doctor to find out the cause.