Depression Warning Signs: How Can You Tell?

Do you have an unusual feeling of dread, an irrational no-cause worry? Are you constantly afraid to lose the affection of a close friend or of colleague? Are you typically alone by yourself? Would you think that these are depression warning signs?

It All Starts with Worrying Too Much

Depression starts with telltale warning signs of changes in how a person looks at himself, how that person values himself, how he compares himself to others, with him being on the lower rung of the ladder. Any change in the way you think, the way you feel about certain things, the way you act and react, may be indications of deeper behavioral problem or disorder. If you are constantly worried that you will lose your job or conscious all the time about your appearance, take note.

Worrying is a natural behavior but not getting the things done that you normally do well is a sign that what you are feeling is not just a simple case of uneasiness; it has moved towards a more serious form of anxiety, the paralyzing, delusional type of anxiety.

How can you tell the difference then?

Sadness Seems To Have No End

Be forewarned if there starts to creep in endless bouts of sadness and feelings of helplessness, with no obvious material cause for such. The loss of enthusiasm or interest in, or even displeasure at, the most mundane and ordinary of activities is another warning sign. A depressed person will have lost his energy and easily gets tired, simply exhausted and consumed by the most ordinary exertion. He may not be able to eat or sleep, or at the other end of the spectrum, may have irrational binges or tendencies to oversleep.

Feeling of Excessive Guilt

The depressed person may initially have concentration-deficit or indecision difficulties. He may feel excessively guilty over a simple infraction. He may feel that he is not worthy of respect or love or have absolutely zero self-esteem and feeling of self-worth. Prone to irritation, even breakdown of emotions, the depressed person may cry uncontrollably for periods of time. Sometimes bodily pains will persist despite the absence of any ailment. Worst, if the sufferer begins thinking of suicide or may actually attempt to commit suicide.

Can Not Function Well

The most basic depression warning sign would be the extreme sadness, gloom, doom-feeling, and apathy. Imagine a salesman who is not able to consummate a sale, a telemarketer who is not able to make a phone call, a teacher who cannot finish a lesson plan, a chef who cannot appreciate the food, a driver averse to the steering wheel: all these are telltale signs of a serious underlying concern. Why else would someone who is so used to doing one thing start abhorring such a thing?

Blames Self for Every Failure

The downfall of self-esteem signals the rise of the depression pattern. The depressed individual will not be able to look at himself in the mirror without finding something wrong in him. He will start blaming himself for the simplest mishap. He may not be able to relate or get along with his family or friends when he used to be so close to them. He foresees a doomed tomorrow, a future for himself and his family full of tragedies and sorrows. He finds no meaning to his existence.

Take Notice of the Illness, Don't Deny its Existence

This is a form of gloominess, anxiety, and paranoia that needs to be treated, to be attended with professional help. Don't try to deny it to yourself and mask your emotions. Let your family know how you feel. Don't also try to deny to yourself that it's possible for your loved ones to fall into the dark pit of depression. Accept the fact all things are possible and watch out carefully for depression warning signs.

Help Yourself or Your Loved Ones

If you feel you are suffering from any of the foregoing telltale depression warning signs, or if you notice them in any of your loved ones or acquaintances, make sure that diagnosis is made and if depression is established, for the best treatment to be made immediately possible.