What Is Depression?: Southwest Family Medicine Associates: Family Medicine Physicians

How Do I Know If I Have Depression?

According to the DSM-5, a manual doctors use to diagnose mental disorders, you have depression when you have five or more of these symptoms for at least 2 weeks:

A depressed mood during most of the day, especially in the morning

You feel tired or have a lack of energy almost every day.

You feel worthless or guilty almost every day.

You have a hard time focusing, remembering details, and making decisions.

You can’t sleep or you sleep too much almost every day.

You have almost no interest or pleasure in many activities nearly every day.

You think often about death or suicide (not just a fear of death).

You feel restless or slowed down.

You’ve lost or gained weight.

While these symptoms are common, not everyone with depression will have the same ones. How severe they are, how often they happen, and how long they last can vary.

Your symptoms may also happen in patterns. For example, depression may come with a change in seasons (a condition formerly called seasonal affective disorder).

Can Depression Have Physical Symptoms?

It's not uncommon for people with depression to have physical signs of the condition. They may include joint pain, back pain, digestive problems, sleep trouble, and appetite changes. You might have slowed speech and movements, too. The reason is that brain chemicals linked to depression, specifically serotonin and norepinephrine, play a role in both mood and pain.

SOURCE:

www.webmd.com, https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/what-is-depression#1

Study: New Mutation Sped Up Spread of Coronavirus

Nov. 13, 2020 -- The virus that causes COVID-19 is not the same strain as what first emerged from China. A new study shows it has changed slightly in a way that makes it more contagious to humans.

With The Election Over, What About The Pandemic?

Nov. 9, 2020 -- Americans are putting their faith in a vaccine and public health experts to “mark the end” of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., a new WebMD poll finds.

Sleep Apnea

Dr. Dharma and Dr. Ashitey discuss the negative effects of sleep apnea and how it affects your health .

Domestic Abuse With Dr. Ashitey & Dr. Dharma

Dr. Dharma and Dr. Ashitey discuss the effects of of Domestic abuse.

COVID Safety During the Upcoming Holidays

Like millions of Americans, Judy Ross has had to share that message as so many of us figure out what to do about the upcoming holidays in this age of COVID-19.

Can You Protect Kids from COVID-19 at School?

This story was updated Aug. 10, 2020. Aug. 6, 2020 -- The first week back to school in the COVID-19 era brought alarming scenes from Georgia, one of the first states to reopen schools.