How to Identify Depression

Learning how to identify depression is an important first step in learning how to deal with depression. We’ve put together a list of the signs and symptoms of depression so you can learn how to identify if someone is suffering from depression.

How to identify if a person is depressed:

• The inability to function at a normal level during your everyday happenings. Symptoms can include fatigue, unable to get excited about things you like to do, doing things takes more energy than they normally take, and lethargy.
• Constant sadness and melancholy. This often manifests with uncontrollable crying fits, being ‘set off’ or upset very easily, higher levels of anxiety and feelings of hollow or emptiness.
• Feeling sad, even if there is no reason, over a period of at least 14 days (2 weeks)
• Feelings of worthlessness, self-loathing, and feelings of being to blame for everything.
• Changes in your regular sleep pattern without reason – ie sleeping much more or much less than normal.
• Gaining or losing weight (beyond what is normal for you and your body), eating much more or losing your appetite all together.
• Losing your regular concentration – finding that thinking about things becomes difficult. Often described as a very ‘foggy’ feeling without the ability to make decisions. Becoming very forgetful.
• Pessimistic. Constant feeling that things are pointless and hopefuless. Finding that things lose their meaning and even feeling completely numb about things you usually are more passionate about.
• Cramps, digestive problems, headaches, or other common ailments that you are unable to treat with normal treatment methods
• Irritability combined with restlessness.
• Thoughts about dying, death, suicide, and actually attempting suicide.

 

If after reading about how to identify depression you think you or a loved one are suffering from depression please seek professional advice.