Health and Lifestyle

What Are the Common Signs of Depression?

Dr. Veena Madhankumar

Jun 8, 2021 — 3 min read

There are some wounds that are not visible on the body but are deeper and more painful than anything that bleeds. Depression is a silent killer that takes away lives without any warning or sympathy. Unfortunately, it is a common and severe mental illness in the world. Here is some information about the common clinical signs of depression.

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What Is Depression?

Depression is a mental illness that negatively affects how you feel, think, and act. It can result in multiple emotional and physical problems, which can further decrease your ability to function normally. Here are the five common signs of depression.

1) Low Mood and Loss of Interest

Depression can have a negative spin on everything, which includes the way you feel, think, and act. Decreased mood and loss of interest in activities once you enjoyed doing are the core signs of depression. You may feel depressed, hopeless, and worthless most of the day. You may be preoccupied with failures and may consider even the most minor mistakes as proof of your inadequacy.

2) Uncontrolled Emotions

There is a change of emotions every second. For example, a sudden switch from sadness to happiness, excitement, and then you suddenly start to cry. Depression causes such mood swings. You may also have a roller coaster of feelings from happiness and contentment to anger and irritability.

3) Recurrent Suicidal Thoughts

You may have recurrent thoughts about death, making you think about suicide. According to studies, people who died by suicide usually showed symptoms initially. Therefore, it is always better to seek help when you get such thoughts.

4) Problems With Sleep

About 90% of people with depression experience problems with sleep. Either they have difficulty sleeping or may sleep excessively. Some people with depression may have trouble falling asleep and may stay awake the entire night. A few people with depression, mainly in the younger age group, may find themselves sleeping too much.

5) Changes in Appetite

Appetite change is one of the common signs seen in people with depression. However, this may differ for each individual with depression. Some people may have an increased appetite, and some people may not feel hungry and may have a loss of appetite. Appetite and weight fluctuations are commonly associated with people who are depressed.

Going through depression is not easy, but you do not have to fight the battle alone. When you feel your mental health is not strong, please ask for help from a psychiatrist online.

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