Do You Know the Warning Signs of Depression?
While only a qualified medical or mental health provider can diagnose depression, there are certain warning signs that can help you identify whether you or someone you care about may be depressed.
Depression looks a little different in different people, however. So while one individual may struggle to get out of bed due to depression, someone else might be able to go to work every day without co-workers noticing that he’s depressed.
The two most common types contain major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder.
The good news is, depression is treatable. If you recognize signs that you or someone you may know be depressed, professional help may be warranted. Medication, talk therapy, or a combination of the two could be instrumental in reducing depressive symptoms.
Decreased Interest or Pleasure
The second core symptom of major depressive disorder is a reduce interest or pleasure in things that were once enjoyed. A person exhibiting this symptom will show markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, daily activities.
Low Mood
Depressed mood is consistent with both major depression and persistent depressive disorder. In major depression, an individual must feel depressed most of the day, nearly every day, as shown by either subjective report or observations made by others. Children or adolescents may appear more irritable than sad. Children may appear more irritable than depressed and they must experience it more days than not for at least one year.
Sleep disturbances including complexity falling asleep, staying asleep, feeling sleepy despite a full night’s rest or daytime sleepiness can indicate either major depressive disorder or persistent depressive disorder.
A loss of energy and chronic feelings of fatigue can be symptoms of both persistent depressive disorder and major depressive disorder. Feeling tired most of the time can interfere with an individual’s capability to function usually.
Feelings of Worthlessness or Guilt
Excessive, inappropriate guilt and feelings of worthlessness are general symptoms of major depressive disorder. The feelings of guilt may be so severe they become delusional.
Both major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder involve difficulty concentrating and making decisions. Individuals with depression may recognize this in themselves or others around them may notice that they’re struggling to think visibly.
