Signs of Depression

The signs of depression are not limited to feelings of sadness or bad mood. While sadness in response to a life event is normal, depression often lasts well beyond a traumatic event, or may not be related to any specific event at all.

Some of the symptoms of depression are physical, also known as somatic symptoms. It might not be immediately clear to a person that these symptoms, which might seem to be strictly physical in nature, are actually related to a psychological disorder.

Some of the most common physical signs of depression are the following:

Sleep changes: A person who is depressed may have insomnia, or may begin sleeping too much. One classic sign of depression is waking up in the early hours of the morning and not being able to go back to sleep.
Fatigue and lack of energy: Even in cases where a person with depression sleeps excessively, they may feel very tired and lack energy throughout the day.
Changes in appetite: As with the changes in sleep, changes in appetite relating to depression can range from low appetite to excessive appetite. A person who is depressed may gain or lose weight without actually undertaking a diet plan.
Low sex drive.
Body aches and pains, cramps, headaches, or digestive issues that do not improve with treatment.

Usually these physical signs of depression are accompanied by emotional symptoms. One of the clearest and most classic signs of depression is an inability to find pleasure in things that were once enjoyable, motivating or meaningful. People who are depressed may find that they are unable to enjoy their lives, regardless of their particular circumstances. Other emotional or cognitive signs of depression may include the following:

Irritability, anger or restlessness.
Low-self esteem or feelings of worthlessness.
Inability to concentrate, difficulty making decisions and “fuzzy” thinking.
Excessive feelings of guilt without apparent cause.
A feeling of hopelessness about the future.
Thoughts of death or suicide.

It might be difficult to distinguish sadness brought on by a specific event from depression. While an episode of depression sometimes is a result of a life circumstance, such as the loss of a loved one or a divorce, it usually persists beyond the precipitating incident. Additionally, future episodes of depression might not have a recognizable cause. Feelings of sadness or hopelessness that continue for more than 6 months to 1 year might be depression.

Major depression is a type of severe depression in which a person has difficulty functioning or performing normal daily tasks. It is usually very acute and noticeable. Dysthymia is a milder form of depression that lasts for longer periods of time. People who have dysthymia may seem to have a long-term negative outlook or low self-esteem; they may believe they will always feel this way. Symptoms of dysthymia can last for as long as 2 years.

Whether severe or mild, depression is considered a lifelong condition, and although symptoms might subside for long periods of time, recurrences are common. Treatment with psychotherapy and medications can be effective in relieving symptoms.

Reference:

http://www.psychiatry.org/depression.

http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=Depression.

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtm.