Early Symptoms And Warning Signs Of Depression

When managing our day-to-day activities at home or at work, it is normal to feel low or sad from time to time. This feeling is not the same as depression. We often encounter the words being unhappy and being depressed. Whether we like it or not, we all have felt from time to time feeling lonely, sad, or depressed. But when these feelings become overwhelming or show in the form of physical symptoms, then it can affect many facets of your life. In reality, depression is a much more serious condition that can have a long-term effect on your mental and physical health. Clinical depression, otherwise known as major depression, is a common and serious mental health problem that involves the mood, thoughts, and its effects on the body. Depression can affect the way you eat, sleep, feel about yourself and the people around you. The signs and symptoms of depression are complex and can vary from person to person. But early detection of these symptoms is the key.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, at least 17.3 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode. This number accounts for 7.1% of all U.S. adults. The study also said that the prevalence of major depression was higher among adult females about (8.7%) compared to males (5.3%).

Definition of Depression:

Depression is often described as a mood disorder that is associated with a persistent feeling of loneliness, sadness, and loss of interest in their day-to-day activities. It is a long-term health problem often triggered by any major life-changing event like bereavement or the loss of a job. Depression can last from several weeks to years. Mental health experts opine that depression is triggered by many factors or sometimes a combination of factors as mentioned below.

• Genetics
• Fluctuations in the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain
• Environmental factors
• Psychological and social factors
• Certain mental disorders like Bipolar disorder and related conditions

Let us now look at the early symptoms and warning signs of depression that you must look for:

1. Persistent Sadness

Feeling sad from time to time is part of normal life. But when an individual experiences a depressed mood for more than two weeks in a row, then it can be a sign of depression. A person suffering from depression may exhibits episodes of crying. The majority of people with depression experience feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, which is nothing but a bleak outlook about the loss of hope that things will get better. In the case of children and older adults, symptoms can show up more in the form of irritation.

2. Loss of Interest

The second most common symptom with people suffering from depression is the loss of interest or pleasure in things that they once enjoyed. In medical terminology, this condition is called anhedonia. Social anhedonia is a lack of interest in engaging with others and feeling detached. Socializing is less enjoyable than it used to be. In this phase people generally withdraw from activities they once looked forward to in the past such as sports, hobbies, or going out with friends. Physical anhedonia is a failure to feel pleasures like actual touch, eating, or sex.

3. Fatigue And Change In The Sleep Cycle

People suffering from depression may sleep more. Excessive sleeping seems to be a way to escape from ill feelings. They generally feel excessively tired and lethargic since they feel overwhelmed, hence they sleep a lot. On the contrary, for some people, depression may lead to insomnia and restlessness and worry at night.

4. Change In Food Habits

When a person is struggling with depression, eating habits often suffer. Some people tend to overeat to lift their mood and as a result gain weight. While others show disinterest in food and lose their appetite.

5. Anxiety

Anxiety and depression are two different terms that are commonly interlinked with one another. Severe anxiety is one of the major signs of depression. Nervousness, restlessness; racing thoughts, rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing, trembling or muscle twitching are some of the common signs of anxiety.

6. Uncontrolled Emotions

Drastic mood swings can be a sign of depression one minute the person feels all happy and then they burst out in anger. They lose emotional balance and this can be a warning sign of the mental disorder. People feeling depressed often experience drastic mood swings without any specific reasons.

7. Feeling of Worthlessness

Depression can change the way you look at the world around you. People suffering from depression often render themselves unappealing and worthless. Guilt, failure, and having trouble in letting the past go can add to the worries. Making a minor mistake can make a person feel worthless or trigger a feeling of shame and self-hatred.

8. Lack of Concentration

Concentration issues or having a hard time making any decisions is also a common sign of depression. People suffering from depression often find themselves struggling to think clearly and stay focused. This symptom of depression maybe seen more in older adults.

9. Reckless Acts

People with suicidal thoughts act recklessly and may take dangerous steps like drunk driving.

10. Talking About Death or Suicidal Signs

Some people talk openly about death or strongly want to end their lives. They may intentionally focus on the topic of death and dying. They may even take steps to prepare for death like looking for ways to kill themselves or buy a gun, knife, or pills, updating a will, posting messages through social media, and saying goodbye to others.

Conclusion: The above mentioned are some of the major signs of depression to watch out for. Depression is a mental disorder that can be treated with psychotherapy, medication, and support from the family. Along with medication, it is important to find a skilled therapist you feel you can trust.