When The Sadness Is Overwhelming Naples Psychologist Helps Create Solutions For Depression

By Jay Dy


The term depression, when used in everyday conversation, can mean anything from occasional sadness to being too lazy to get out of bed. As a Naples psychologist would explain, this is not clinical depression. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, a reference book psychologists use defines the symptoms.

To meet the criteria set forth by the DSM the symptoms must be in effect for two or more weeks. The patient must have five or of the symptoms listed. They include lack of interest in any activities including those he enjoyed previously, feeling a deep sadness and sleeping too much, or gaining weight or losing it in significant amounts.

When the five or more symptoms listed occur for a period of two weeks or longer, that person is said to be clinically depressed. Each individual will show different combinations of the symptoms described. Rarely will one person have all of them occurring at the same time.

The person afflicted will no longer want to participate in activities he previously enjoyed. His sadness will be deep and overwhelming. Often he will not be able to state a reason why he feels the way he does.

When someone has what is called suicidal ideation, emergency intervention may be needed to prevent him from harming himself. He may feel that since he cannot see a way to escape the overwhelming sadness, suicide is the only escape.

At the extreme level of clinical depressive disorder the person may be unable to cope with life as he previously did. He will be too exhausted, for no apparent reason, to go to work or attend classes if he is a student. This lack of energy is an indicative symptom.

When a loved one dies and the family is depressed, it is a different situation. The Naples psychologist is someone the individual can turn to for help. He will approach the two in different ways.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment