Depression: mild - severe?

How can you rate depression from mild to severe??

Where do physical symptoms start?
how bad does it have to be for
anxiety
panic attacks
reduced appetite
insomnia
depersonalization
self-harm
suicide...

...in general

also, how can you tell when anxiety is caused by depression, and is not just anxiety on its own?

This is what I did when I noticed that I was struggling with depression. I went online and took a depression screening test and made an apt. with my family doctor. I went in there and showed her my test and I had written other signs and symptoms on it as well. It was all written down so she could see what I've been dealing with and she was very supportive and wanted to help.
List of symptoms
As with many mental health problems, there are a number of symptoms of depression and it's very rare for all of them to occur in one person. They include feeling generally miserable, as well as:

* Variation of mood during the day. It's often worse in the morning, improving as the day goes on - but the pattern can be the other way around.
* Disturbed sleep, usually waking early and being unable to get back to sleep
* A general slowing down of thought, speech and movement
* Feelings of anxiety
* Tearfulness for no reason
* Short temper
* Lack of energy and constant exhaustion
* Inability to enjoy things
* Lack of concentration
* Difficulty making decisions
* Feeling that you're forgetful
* Negative thoughts about the future
* Feelings of guilt
* Loss of identity
* Blaming self and low self-esteem
* Feelings of hopelessness and despair
* Unrealistic sense of failure
* Loneliness, even when around others
* Becoming preoccupied with illness
* Loss of appetite and resulting loss of weight
* Reduced desire for sex
The severity of the depression usually has to do with how much of an effect it is having on your day to day life. Are you missing work or school? Have you become isolated away from your family? Are you able to function in day to day life? That is how they rate the severity of it, how much of an effect is the depression having on your life.

If your low mood interferes with your home, family or work, lasts for two weeks or more, or brings you to the point of thinking about suicide,(self harm) you may be experiencing clinical depression and you should seek help. There are many kinds of help available. Talk to your GP or contact a mental health organization.

My depression was to the point that I couldn't hardly get out of bed. (severe depression) Depression only gets worst if left untreated so after experiencing some of these symptoms make it a point to see your doctor. If your doctor feels that antidepressants are best for you then know they won't work right away. I was prescribed Prozac and it takes about 4-6 weeks to get into your blood stream. But slowly I noticed changes and now I am doing good. If you want you could also request a referral to a psychiatrist to more find out the source of your depression. You can medicate the symptoms but you must be willing to look inside and find the root of the problem. Most doctors will recommend counseling to work through various issues while taking antidepressants. I hope this was helpful. Knowledge is power tell the doctor everything that you've been experiencing so they will know how to help you.

Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders
signs of anxiety disorder include:
* Endless checking or rechecking actions.
* A constant and unrealistic worry about everyday occurrences and activities.
* Fear and anxiety that appear for no apparent reason.
hat are the signs and symptoms of the condition?
There are several different anxiety disorders. Each has its own symptoms. Examples of physical symptoms include:
鈥?palpitations (an unusual awareness of the heartbeat)
鈥?dry mouth
鈥?sweating
鈥?trembling or shaking
鈥?shortness of breath or a choking sensation
鈥?nausea
鈥?dizziness
鈥?chest pain
鈥?insomnia (inability to sleep well)
Examples of mental symptoms include:
鈥?fear of dying or going crazy
鈥?fear of leaving the house
鈥?fear of crowds
鈥?difficulty concentrating
鈥?irritability
鈥?restlessness
鈥?fear of contamination or germs
鈥?constantly worrying about life
鈥?having the same thoughts over and over again

So you see some of the signs and symptoms of depression go hand in hand with anxiety and luckily there are antidepressants that treat both. Good Luck! There is hope, so don't give up.

I'v been there and i guess mine was only mild because i only had 3 of the symptoms. I got insomnia first, that is where depression usually starts. And because of insomnia the rest of the symptoms go in order all the way down to suicide. Please dont let it get that far! You can tell about anxiety by asking your-self have i ever had anxiey before? The rating would depend on how many sympyoms you have0-3 would be mild, 4-6 would be medimum, and if you have thoughts of suicide then its severe! Hope I helped.