How to Recognize the Symptoms of Depression

Depression is a state when you start feeling mentally low and pessimistic and can't seem to "snap out of it." It saps energy and affects your ability to interact with the people around you. The symptoms of depression can be recognized both by the affected person and the people around.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Watch for changes in behavior, such as lack of energy and enthusiasm. Depression often leads to a loss of interest in activities.

2. Note the number of hours the person is sleeping. Depression may lead to a drastic change in sleeping habits, either insomnia or over-sleeping.

3. Observe any change in eating habits. Depression may lead to either overeating or reduced eating, causing severe weight gain or loss.

4. Look for a diminished capability of concentration. A person suffering from depression lacks decision-making ability.

Tips & Warnings

• Find out if physical illness could be the root cause of the symptoms rather than depression.
• It's normal to feel "blue" from time to time, but you can't just "snap out" of depression; seek treatment if it persists.

Resources

• Depression resources at LiveSTRONG.com