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How to Tell If Someone You Love Is Suffering From Depression

Depression is a mood disorder characterized by feelings of sadness. Although everyone feels down at times, depression is a persistent condition that interferes with everyday life. It can affect people of any age and in socio-economic group or profession. People who suffer from depression may have recurring episodes with symptoms that range from mild to severe. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, depression affects approximately 18 million Americans each year.

  1. Sadness

    • The symptoms of depression often vary according to the individual and severity of the condition. However, sadness is one of the most common characteristics. The sadness might range from feeling down to total despair. The depressed individual may lack self-worth and feel that his situation is hopeless. He may feel that life is not worth living. A person suffering from depression may cry easily, often for no apparent reason.

    Irritability

    • Depression has many symptoms that manifest themselves in various ways. A depressed person may display irritability or agitation. He may have a short temper and a low tolerance level for stress. It may seem like everyone and everything gets on his nerves. Feelings of restlessness, anger and self-loathing may also be present.

    Loss of Interest

    • People who suffer from depression often lose interest in activities they once enjoyed. They may withdraw from social situations and spend less time with friends or family members. Depressed individuals might have difficulty focusing in the workplace which may result in job loss. Children and teens that suffer from depression may have difficulty concentrating on schoolwork and may display behavior problems. Symptoms of depression in children might manifest as worry, sadness and irritability. Teens might avoid interacting socially. They may also display anger and anxiety. Social withdrawal is a sign of depression often seen in older adults.

    Physical Symptoms

    • Physical symptoms of depression include changes in sleep patterns, such as insomnia or sleeping excessively. There may also be an increase or decrease in appetite, resulting in weight loss or gain. People who are suffering from depression might also experience a reduced sex drive. Depression sufferers may experience fatigue, headaches, loss of energy and other aches or pains. They might have difficulty concentrating, sitting still and exhibit slow speech or body movements. In some cases of severe depression, a person may hear voices or see hallucinations.

    Reckless or Suicidal Behavior

    • According to HelpGuide.org, women are twice as likely to suffer from depression than men. However, men, especially older men, are a higher risk of suicide. Men are also more likely to engage in reckless behavior or substance abuse. It may be difficult to know if someone is thinking about suicide, which is why it is so important to recognize the signs. If someone you know is talking about suicide, behaving recklessly or displaying self-destructive behavior such as cutting themselves, seek medical intervention or call 911 immediately.

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