What are the signs and symptoms of Clinical Depression? What creates depression and how can it be treated? To find out, here are four things that you will need to do to find out the cause and to find out what your next step should be:

• A pen or pencil and paper
• A column for symptoms on the paper
• A column for causes for depression
• At the bottom of the page, write down what you can do to do to get help with depression

With pen or pencil in hand, write down under the column of symptoms these signs and symptoms of depression and put a check mark next to the ones that you have experienced or know of someone else who has or presently is experiencing:

Mental or physical exhaustion almost all of the time.

Inability to sleep.

Lack of concentration

Hopelessness

Constant dejection

Feelings of worthlessness

Appetite issues (over or under eating)

Constant irritation or anger

Lack of sexual desire

Loss of energy

Loss of interest in your or their hobbies

Quick loss of temper

Lashing out at people

A tendency of being short with people

Punishing yourself or themselves

A mild or constant state of sadness

Not talking with anyone, or being unusually quite around others

Setting all night after work in front of the TV

If you have checked of 5 or more of these symptoms or signs, you may need to see a doctor.

Write down under the causes column all of these causes and check the ones that you or someone else has experienced;

Loss of a job

Divorce

Death of a spouse or child

Hectic, fast-paced lifestyle

A steady diet of fast food

A harried schedule

A constantly ringing Blackberry

Bankruptcy

If you have checked off 3 or more of these, then you could be at risk of suffering from depression.

Write down things that you can do to fight depression:

Establish proper boundaries in your schedule, allowing sufficient down time

Eat three properly nutritional meals a day

Take one day off per week from anything work related

Consistent rest

Exercise

Relational stimulation like mentoring or time with friends (TV doesn't count)

See a doctor if these things do not lesson your depression.

* Almost everyone goes through depression at one time or another, but most people come out of it. If you or someone you know stays in severe depression for weeks or months, this is a warning sign that you or someone you know needs professional help. Seek it now. Depression is not a character weakness but it could simply be too much going on, too many difficult issues you've gone through or it could be a simple brain chemical imbalance. These are all treatable.

* Never ignore signs of wanting to hurt yourself or thinking suicidal thoughts. See a doctor, even if you think its not Clinical Depression. Your doctor is trained to give you help or refer you to a counselor if need be.