Depression is a mental disorder that affects the sufferer in many ways. It affects your work, your emotions, your relationships and your physical state etc. Millions of people are affected every year by depression. Women, children, teenagers, adults and the elderly can suffer from depression. Depression can be mild to moderate depending upon the signs and symptoms. Depression has many forms. If it goes untreated it can be extremely harmful.

Signs of depression

• The sufferer commonly exhibits the feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. He has negative mind set about his situation and feels he will not get over the depression.

• Interest in daily activities decreases to quite a large extent. Activities once enjoyed in the past do not appear enjoyable now.

• Poor appetite; as a result the sufferer may loose a significant amount of weight.

• Poor concentration level; the sufferer finds it difficult to concentrate on his work and often finds himself in trouble at work.

• Loss of energy or fatigue.

• Another sign of depression is crying without apparent reason.

• Irritability is also one of the signs of depression.

• Inability to make decisions; the sufferer finds it difficult to make decisions or might make wrong decisions.

• Sleep problems are another sign; the sufferer is able to sleep very little, occasionally might sleep too much.

• A depressed person finds himself restless throughout the day.

• Physical problems such as headache, stomach pain or back pain.

• Sexual problems; interest in the intercourse decreases to a large extent.

• Thoughts of suicide or suicidal attempts are also the prominent signs of depression.

• Negative approach towards life.

• Low self-confidence.

• Socially inactive.

These are some of the common signs of depression. The signs of depression may be different person to person. If more than 5 of the above listed signs appear for more than two weeks in you or somebody you know, help should be sought. Signs of depression also depend upon the type of depression you are suffering from. Here are types of depression along with common signs:

Major depression

The common signs of major depression are: loss of interest in daily activities, huge amount of negativism, decreased sexual interest, poor appetite and weight loss.

Atypical depression

The common signs of atypical depression are: fatigue, eating problems due to too much eating, significant amount of weight increase.

Psychotic depression

The signs of Psychotic depression are: sufferer is unable to differentiate between reality and imagination, hears imaginary sounds and sees imaginary objects that do not exist at all, signs of schizophrenia.

Manic depression

The common signs of manic depression are: Changes in mood frequently, sufferer changes his mood from lows to high very rapidly. Another alarming sign of manic depression is the suicidal tendencies; suicidal tendencies in manic depression are higher than any other forms of depression.

Postpartum depression

The common signs of postpartum depression are the same as major depression. The only difference is that it interferes with ability of mother to bond with newborn child.

Related posts:

1. Manic Depression Symptoms
2. Depression Causes & Signs
3. Definition of Acute Depression
4. Difference Between Unipolar Depression and Bipolar Depression
5. Suffering From Depression? Help is Available