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Danger Signs of Depression

If you are sad and have symptoms that make it hard to get up and get going you may be dealing with depression. Depression is an illness that affects millions of people and can be debilitating if not treated. Recognizing the danger signs of depression can help you know what to look for and when it is time to get help.

  1. Mood Danger Signs

    • Depression is a mental health disorder that is identified by several major danger signs or symptoms. A sad or "depressed" mood that lasts for longer than two weeks and interferes with your ability to function is a major danger sign. This kind of sadness is often described as crippling and may make you feel like you want to stay in bed. In children and adolescents, depression may present itself as anger or an irritable mood instead of sadness.

    Physical Danger Signs

    • Depression can often lead to physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches, stomach aches, and nausea. An all-over body ache can also leave you feeling physically ill. Many times the fatigue associated with depression can make it difficult to get up and go to work or socialize. A depressed person may want to stay in bed for hours or days and may sleep a lot more than normal. Appetite may decrease and a person may notice significant weight loss.

    Behavioral Danger Signs

    • Depression may cause noticeable differences in behavior. Because depression may lead to diminished pleasure in activities, many people stop doing things they once enjoyed doing. Giving up hobbies, skipping work and classes, and isolating from friends and family are all danger signs. Depression can cause a disruption in sleep, so a depressed person may have trouble sleeping or appear to sleep all the time. A general feeling of being "slowed down" may even be obvious to family and friends, as depression can cause a decrease in activity.

    Emotional Danger Signs

    • Depression can cause a decrease in self-esteem. A person may feel worthless and hopeless, no longer valuable. He or she may feel a lot of guilt or like a burden on others. Difficulty concentrating and making decisions can also be signs of depression. Depressed persons may feel "numb" and wonder if they still have the ability to care about anything.

    High-Risk Danger Signs

    • At its worst, depression can cause thoughts of suicide, or even suicide attempts. Engaging in high-risk behaviors like drug use, gambling, and sexual promiscuity has also been linked to depression. If these high-risk behaviors occur, or there are thoughts to harm to oneself or someone else, it is important to seek professional help right away.

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