Before we dwell more on this subject, it is imperative that you know what is the clinical diagnosis for depression. It is important to know if you (or loved ones) could be suffering from depression. Because just as any illnesses, early diagnosis means early treatment. The following is the standard, though not the only, inventory used to diagnose clinical depression. Your doctor would probably advise you better. Use the following only as a general guideline to know if you need to consult your doctor for treatment. Again, this is NOT a diagnosis on its own.
DSM IV Criteria for Depression:
Symptoms of Depression
1. Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day.
2. Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day.
3. Loss of energy or fatigue nearly every day.
4. Loss of confidence or self-esteem.
5. Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, or any suicidal behaviour.
6. Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day.
7. Unreasonable feelings of self-reproach or excessive or inappropriate guilt, nearly every day.
8. Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day.
9. Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day.
10. Change in appetite (decrease or increase with corresponding weight change).
NB: Symptoms 1 and/or 2 and any 4 others must be present for at least two weeks.
Personally, I believe that God blessed doctors with earthly talents to treat us. So please do not excuse yourself from seeking help from a doctor if you suspect you might have depression. Medications are not the only treatment, but it IS one of the treatments. Just as you would consult a doctor if you have flu, you should consult a doctor too if you have depression.
But while you are seeking treatment from doctors, may you not lose faith in our Lord's supernatural healing:
"But Jesus turning and seeing her said, “Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.” At once the woman was made well." (Matthew 9:22)
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