Severe Clinical Depression: Symptoms, Signs & Seeking Help

Severe clinical depression can affect a person mentally and physically. These symptoms can make daily life increasingly difficult. Symptoms include a general lack of energy, strong feelings of sadness and worthlessness, inexplicable feelings of guilt, an inability to sleep and thoughts of suicide. People who experience these symptoms should consult with a doctor for treatment.

Sadness

• A person with severe clinical depression has overwhelming and unexplainable feelings of sadness, hopelessness and emptiness. He is also unable to enjoy most activities.

Reduced Appetite

• A severely depressed person has little interest in food and a diminished appetite that lasts for days or weeks at a time. This may also lead to dramatic weight loss.

Insomnia

• People with severe clinical depression are often unable to sleep. A person may go days without sleep or only be able to sleep for a few hours at a time.

Fatigue

• A common symptom of severe clinical depression is persistently feeling tired, exhausted and unmotivated. Depression leaves a person with little to no energy.

Suicidal Thoughts

• Severely depressed people may have persistent thoughts about death and suicide. They may fantasize about suicide, formulate a suicide plan or even attempt suicide.