Depression Signs

Not everyone experiences every Sign of depression. Some people experience only a few, others, a long list. The severity of each sign also varies.
Below is a brief list of the signs of depression:

• Constant sad, anxious, or "vacant" mood
• Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, restlessness, irritability
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
• Decreased energy and increased fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
• Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
• Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
• Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain
• Changes in sleep habits, like insomnia, early morning awakening, or sleeping too much.

People who have low self-esteem, are chronically pessimistic, who are regularly overwhelmed by stress are prone to depression. In addition, physical changes in the body can be accompanied by the onset of depression. Medical illnesses such as stroke, heart attack, cancer, Parkinson's disease, and hormonal disorders can cause depressive illness. In addition, a serious loss, difficult relationship, financial problem, or any stressful change in life patterns can trigger a depressive episode. Very often, it is a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors that trigger the onset of a depressive disorder.

Depressive disorders come in different forms, just as is the case with other illnesses. Below are listed most common types of depressive disorders. However, within these types there are variations in the number of symptoms, their severity, and persistence.

Major depression is manifested by a combination of signs that interfere with the ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities. Such a disabling episode of depression may occur only once but more commonly occurs several times in a lifetime.

In major depression, people experience a sad mood or loss of interest or pleasure in activities for at least 2 weeks. In addition, they have at least four other signs of depression. Major depression can be mild, moderate, or severe. If it is not treated, it can last for 6 months or more.

Major depression is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. and worldwide.

A less severe type of depression, dysthymia, involves long-term, chronic signs that do not disable, but keep one from functioning well or from feeling good. Many people with dysthymia also experience major depressive episodes at some time in their lives.

Dysthymic disorder is diagnosed when depressed mood persists for at least 2 years (1 year in children) and is accompanied by at least two other signs of depression. Many people with dysthymia develop major depressive episodes.

Another type of depression is bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive illness. Not nearly as prevalent as other forms of depressive disorders, bipolar disorder is characterized by cycling mood changes: severe highs (mania) and lows (depression). Sometimes the mood switches are dramatic and rapid, but most often they are gradual. When in the depressed cycle, an individual can have any or all of the signs of a depressive disorder. When in the manic cycle, the individual may be overactive, overtalkative, and have a great deal of energy. Mania often affects thinking, judgment, and social behavior in ways that cause serious problems and embarrassment. For example, the individual in a manic phase may feel elated, full of grand schemes that might range from unwise business decisions to romantic sprees. Mania, left untreated, may worsen to a psychotic state.

Postpartum depression can happen anytime within the first year after childbirth. A woman may have a number of signs such as sadness, lack of energy, trouble concentrating, and feelings of guilt and worthlessness.

There are several mood disorders that include general depression. Manic depression, or bipolar disorder, is signified by periods of extreme highs followed by periods of extreme lows. Clinical depression is defined as a long-term depression episode, and seasonal affective disorder is a depressive disorder that relates to the seasons in a cyclical mode.