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Depression Warning Signs and When to Seek Help

 

 

Depression warning signs and symptoms comprise of more than just the low mood and unpleasant thoughts and behaviors. The illness also affects a person physically causing the affected person to consistently feel exhausted and uncomfortable.

Such signs of depression include bodily aches and pains, fatigue, lack of or excessive sleep, overeating or loss of appetite among others. A person with depression also shows signs of reduced mental capacity. He/she may become slow in performing mental tasks like decision making, paying attention or concentrating and comprehension of complex issues.

Of course the most important indicators of any depressive disorder are the sad and irritable feelings that tend to be more intense and persistent than normal sadness or grief. These and other psychological issues that result from this ailment greatly affect the way a person carries out their day-to-day activities.

Warning Signs and symptoms of Depression

Below are some of the many warning signs experienced by most people suffering from depression. Please note that each person has their unique set of symptoms which may not resemble those of other depression patient.

1. Psychological and Emotional Signs of Depression
These are depression warning signs that relate to the affected person's thoughts, feelings and their ability to perform other mental processes

  • Overwhelming and prolonged sadness: This is actually the most important warning sign of depression as well as the most unsettling. Most sufferers report intense and endless feelings of sadness and low mood.
  • Feeling hopeless and helpless: Anticipation of doom is an affliction shared by many patients who additionally develop a very gloomy view of various things. Some even stop believing in their own ability to create success in many spheres of their lives.
  • Low self-esteem: Another significant symptom of depression is the patient's tendency to undergo recurring feelings of being worthless. This is accompanied by guilt, low sense of self and self-hate.

Such people become obsessed with their personal inadequacies and may believe that they will always be failures. Whenever things don't work out, they are more likely to place the blame or themselves or act like helpless victims.

  • Poor concentration and loss of mental acuity: Paying attention or focusing becomes difficult. Patients also become challenged when required to make quick decisions or remembering important events or items.


2. Physical Symptoms

  • Rapid appetite and/or weight changes: Some persons with depression begin using food as a sedative for their pain. Overeating episodes substantially contribute to rapid weight gain. However there are others who completely loose appetite which consequently explains their sudden weight loss.
  • Irregular sleep patterns: Patient's sleeping patterns may become erratic because of depression. Whereas some tend to oversleep others find it hard to even find sleep throughout the night.
  • Chronic bodily discomforts and pain: Physical aches and pains are also very common. These unpleasant sensations come in the form of headaches, pain in various parts of the body. Other patients develop issues with their digestive system like gas, acidity, slow digestion and several other digestive disorders.
  • Chronic Fatigue: Unrelenting low energy or tiredness also affects patients with this mental disorder. Minor responsibilities like cleaning up, stepping out of bed, household chores become very demanding and a source of frustration for such patients.
  • Crying Spells: Individuals with depression cry a lot or may feel the urge to do so frequently even without any reasonable cause.

3. Behavioral Warning Signs of Depression

  • Lack of interest in fun activities: The tendency to loose interest in activities that were previously enjoyed is a common indicator of depression. Depression patients loose interest in formerly fun activities like hobbies, leisure activities and even sex. Many find that they are completely unable to enjoy anything.
  • Irritability or restlessness: Persons with depression easily become upset and annoyed sometimes because of trivial issues. They usually have very low tolerance levels and tend to become easily offended by the actions of others. Such patients find it hard to stay silent, sit still, or and may develop addictive habits like nail biting, hand wringing and cigarette smoking.
  • Suicidal tendencies: Most suicides or attempts of suicide are carried out by persons with depression. Such people become obsessed about ending their lives as a way out of their unrelenting misery.
  • Social withdrawal: Depression causes it's sufferers to loose their desire of creating meaningful relationships with other people. This can make them lead a life of self-isolation. They may isolate themselves, not answer the phone, or refuse to go out with friends.
  • Self-Neglect: Severe depression is often marked by a growing level of indifference towards themselves and others. These severely ill patients become unable to take care of themselves and may always look dirty, disoriented and disorganized.


Any person who possesses a majority of these depression warning signs is required to instantly seek the help of a qualified mental health professional. Only a qualified professional can provide effective solutions that can help in alleviating these disabling symptoms.