At someone’s request, I decided to characterize my levels of depression.  Please remember that this is only from my point of view.

·      5%-20%: I think everyone can experience these levels.  This is what I call the mental clarity zone.  You can make decisions. 20% mental fogginess is usually when someone close has died; fail a test; disappoint a close relative; etc.

·      21%-30%:  Depressed person feels “off.”  Sexual drive maybe affected.  May not be able to feel optimistic.  Still can be outwardly functional at work.  Some people may see this level as just “stressed from work.”

·      31%-40%:  Some performance issues at work.  Definite mood changes at home. 

o   Being defensive

o   Inability to accept constructive criticism

o   Cognitive functions are slowed. 

o   Depressed may feel sluggish

o   Mental fogginess is in full effects

·      41%-50%: Anger is introduced

o   Anger towards themselves & others

o   Clear dissatisfaction for their situation

o   May seem like a complainer

o   Proverbial Doom & gloom cloud always hovering

:donder:

o   May require medication at this point

·      51%-60%:  Unpleasant to be around.  Apathy is introduced.  My guess is that many will strive to feel any way possible.  The following may be some of the ways the depressed will attempt to feel an emotion other than apathy or anger.

o   Having an affair

o   Cutting themselves

o   Contemplate suicide or begin to threaten with suicide for attention

o   Gambling

o   Behaviors which may harm themselves

o   Uncontrolled spending

·      61%-70%

o   Sleeping patterns affected.

o   Never enough energy to do daily tasks.

o   Seems lazy

o   Begins to cry without reason

o   Self hate begins to permeate through EVERY thought

·      71%-80%

o   Paranoia about the world is against their every action

·      81%-90%:

o   The whole world is wrong in their eyes. 

o   “There is nothing good”

o   There is only pain and apathy

o   Crying profusely

·      90-100%: 

o   Hard to shower or even get out of bed. 

o   Maybe certain hygienic issues because of such overwhelming apathy. 

o   In some instances emotional pain is so great that the depressed may attempt suicide.  (I was lucky.  I did not have these thoughts)

o   Serious medical attention is required


Last Edited By: wrongway Jan 25 13 8:54 PM. Edited 1 times.