Clinical Depression Clinical Depression

People are considered clinically depressed when they have the below symptoms that last for more than a few weeks and are severe enough to disrupt daily life. However, if recognized and properly treated, these symptoms can improve.

These are among the most common psychological and physical symptoms of clinical depression:

Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, uneasiness, anxiety, irritability or guilt

Sadness and crying, often without reason

Insomnia, restless sleep or sleeping too much

Changes in appetite leading to weight loss or weight gain

Lowered self-esteem or feelings of worthlessness

Inability to concentrate or difficulty thinking and indecisiveness

Lack of energy and interest in things formerly enjoyed

General slowing and clouding of mental functions

Diminished sexual interest and/or performance

Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

Clinical depression may not be recognized in people with Lupus because its symptoms and those of active Lupus are very similar. Additionally, clinical depression may also lead to anxiety, which may in turn aggravate the physical symptoms of Lupus such as headache and stomach pain...

How does dealing with chronic illness lead to depression?

A variety of factors can contribute to clinical depression in people with chronic illnesses. The most common is the emotional drain that results from the need to cope with the illness in addition to the economic, social, and workplace repercussions. Also, many medications used to treat Lupus, especially corticosteroids, may precipitate clinical depression. A Lupus flare can also trigger clinical depression, both because the patient feels more ill, and because flares bring about a sense of "never being free of Lupus".

In fact,