Signs and symptoms

Depression varies from person to person, the most common signs and symptoms are -

• Low mood or irritability- Feeling low, irritable and restless.
• Loss of energy- Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. Your whole body may feel heavy and even small tasks are exhausting or take longer to complete.
• Loss of interest in daily activities- No interest in former hobbies, social activities or sex.
• Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness- A bleak outlook that nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation.
• Worthlessness- Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. Patients harshly criticize themselves for perceived faults and mistakes.
• Appetite or weight changes- Significant weight loss or weight gain—a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month.
• Sleep disturbance- Changes either insomnia, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping (also known as hypersomnia).
• Reckless behavior- engage in avoidance behavior such as substance abuse, compulsive gambling, reckless driving, or dangerous sports.
• Concentration problems- Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.
• Unexplained aches and pains. An increase in physical complaints such as headaches, back pain, aching muscles, and stomach pain.

Treatment

After the diagnosis, a person with depression can be treated in several ways. The most common treatments are medication and psychotherapy.