Symptoms Of Depression
Initial physical symptoms of depression may be difficult to spot especially if they are temporary or mild. But if left untreated, these warning signs of depression can recur at a more serious level or deteriorate into depression syndrome that leads the sufferer to be in a deeply unhappy or irritable mood lasting up to 2 weeks.
This is often accompanied by noticeable changes in sleep, appetite, ability to concentrate and a lack of interest in usual activities. There are also feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and emptiness. Sometimes, depression occurs abruptly without stimulus from what is happening in the person’s life.
Significant changes in how a person functions is characteristic of symptoms of clinical depression. When all these symptoms occur at the same time, the person may feel that death is preferable to life, leading to thoughts of suicide.
Family members should watch out for physical symptoms of depression.
Change In Sleep
Some can have difficulty sleeping when depression symptoms strike while others sleep more than usual. Some have erratic sleep patterns, falling asleep for an hour while remaining awake the rest of the night or awakening several hours earlier than desired. In all cases, the individual awaken without feeling rested.
Lack Of Concentration
A common symptom of depression is the inability to concentrate and focus on what the person is doing. This could be something as simple as reading a newspaper article or watching television. In such cases, making a decision becomes impossible leading sufferers to think they are literally losing their minds.
Feeling Lethargic
Because of the erratic sleep patterns suffered by the depressed person, they frequently feel tired. This loss of energy affects their mental and physical being and the ability to perform their usual daily routine. They are also slow to respond to their environment and things happening around them. This is one of the easier signs of depression to spot.
Loss Of Interest
Depression causes people to lose interest in things they would normally take pleasure in. The capacity to experience pleasure in activities such as eating or sex is greatly affected and such activities now seem boring and unrewarding. They may also be unable to feel and offer love.
Low Self Esteem
Negative thoughts pervade the minds of the depressed and those suffering from depression often dwell on these negative thoughts or memories of loss or failure in their lives. They may feel they are worthless and that the world is a terrible place, leading to thoughts of suicide.
Some other physical symptoms of depression may manifest in the form of being physically inactive or conversely, becoming very active and agitated, such as pacing the floor for hours or staying in bed for long hours but not sleeping.
Overcoming depression can be a long road for many, but with the help of family and friends, dealing with depression need not be a lonely battle.
