Signs of Depression

There are many signs of depression that you can look for in yourself or a loved one.

The first sign to look for is a persistently down or depressed mood. This has to have lasted at least two weeks for the depression to be labelled clinical depression.

Next, several other symptoms must also be present. Not everyone will experience all of these symptoms. They will vary depending on the individual. These symptoms are:

• appetite disturbance, either eating too much or loss of appetite
• trouble concentrating and making decisions


• thoughts of worthlessness or low self esteem


• excessive guilt
• suicidal thoughts or actions
• thoughts of self-harm
• irritability
• loss of interest in pleasurable activities
• hopelessness
• lack of motivation
• feeling fatigued or tired
• sleeping too much
• early morning awakening
• insomnia


• physical symptoms such as heachaches, pains, or digestive problems that don't go away even after being treated


To help you better understand the signs and symptoms of depression, I will make up a person who is depressed. I am drawing on my own experiences as a person who has been depressed as well as my role as a therapist.

Mary is a 38 year old female who's boyfriend recently left her. She has two children, ages 10 and 12. She is crying a lot, doesn't feel like eating and can't concentrate at work. She doesn't feel like doing anything and stayed in bed all day last Saturday. She took care of her kids but was easily irritated with them.

Mary is wondering why her boyfriend left her. She thinks it is all her fault and if he would just tell her what the problem is, she could fix it. She just wants to know what is wrong with her. At work, Mary keeps thinking about how to get her boyfriend back. Mary thinks that she will never have another boyfriend and wonders why she should go on living. She says she won't kill herself because she knows her children need her.

Notice how she acts and what she thinks. Does this sound like you?



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