David Hopkinson, Ph.D., P.C., Psychologist

Depression

If energy and optimism decrease slowly enough, the slide into depression can be difficult to detect. Depressed people withdraw. They feel vulnerable, unappealing and lack the energy to deal with others. Men are prone to deny depression, and may express it by acting self-destructively. Many alcoholics and workaholics are coping with depression that they do not recognize as such. Depression often has a role in marriage problems. Two core symptoms of depression are pessimism and low self-esteem.

Check List (Depression Screening Questions)

My sleep is restless and many nights I wake up and can't get back to sleep.
I don't feel like being with people, even family members and friends.
Often, I find myself feeling rather sad for no apparent reason.
Sometimes I feel that there is not much point in going on.
Things that I used to enjoy no longer give me pleasure.
Making decisions has become more difficult for me.
Too much of the time I feel tired and lack energy.
Much of the time I feel down, unhappy or blue.
Some days it is difficult to get out of bed.
I feel useless and my life lacks purpose.
I am irritable and often feel annoyed.
A lot of the time, I feel hopeless.
I'm disappointed in my life.

"Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly." - Langston Hughes