Signs of Depression

There are many symptoms of depression. A person's whole lifestyle could change if they are experiencing depression. Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" feelings and feelings of hopelessness and pessimism are signs to look for in a depressed person. Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and helplessness, irritability, and restlessness go hand in hand with depression. If you know someone that suddenly shows a loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, they could be depressed. More symptoms of depression are fatigue and decreased energy, difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions, insomnia, early–morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping. Overeating, or sudden appetite loss is also a symptom of depression. If a person has thoughts of suicide, or attempts at taking their own life, they have severe depression and they need to get help. Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment are also symptoms of depression. Different people experience different symptoms for depression depending on how severe their condition is. It can vary from person to person which symptoms are present.

What is depression?

Depression is a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity. It is not when a person is just feeling sad or blue, because everyone does every once in a while. It is a serious condition when a person has these feelings all the time and it interferes with their daily lives. Many people with a serious condition of depression do not seek help when it could really benefit them. There are many different forms of depression. Major depressive disorder disables a person from functioning normally with their everyday life. Dysthymic disorder is a long term form of depression, but it has less serious symptoms than major depressive disorder. Psychotic depression is when a person with a serious depressive disorder experiences hallucinations, delusions, and a break with reality. Postpartum depression occurs when a new mother has a major depressive period one month after delivery of her child. Seasonal affective disorder occurs during the winter months when there is less natural sunlight. Normally, this disorder lifts during the spring and summer when there is more sunlight present. As you can see, there are many different types of depression to be treated.