They vary from person to person.
Changes in feelings which may include:
a. Feeling empty
b. Inability to enjoy anything
c. Hopelessness
d. Loss of sexual desire
e. Loss of warm feelings for family or friends
f. Feelings of self blame or guilt
g. Loss of self esteem
h. Inexplicable crying spells, sadness or irritability
Changes in behavior and attitude may include:
a. General slowing down
b. Neglect of responsibilities and appearance
c. Poor memory
d. Inability to concentrate
e. Suicidal thoughts, feelings or behaviors
f. Difficulty making decisions
Physical Complaints may include:
a. Sleep disturbances such as early morning waking,
sleeping too much or insomnia
b. Lack of energy
c. Loss of appetite
d. Weight loss or gain
e. Unexplained headaches or backaches
f. Stomachaches, indigestion or changes in bowl habits
Depression symptoms children
Since children are usually unable to express their feelings in words, they tend to show sadness in their behaviors. For example, they may become withdrawn, resume old, younger behaviors (regress), or fail to thrive. They start showing poor school performance, persistent boredom and frequent complaints of headaches and stomach-aches.
They show:
a. Irritability
b. Facial expression
c. Decreased play
d. Decreased sociability
e. Lethargy
f. Low self-esteem
g. Accident proneness
h. Attachment problems/separation
Depression symptoms and signs in men
Compared to women, men with depression are more likely to experience low energy, irritability, and anger, sometimes to the point of inflicting pain on others. Men with depression are also more likely to exhibit sleep problems, a loss of interest in work or hobbies, and substance abuse. They may work excessively and engage in more risky behaviors when struggling with depression, committing suicide four times as often as women with this condition.
Depression symptoms in women
In comparison to men, women tend to develop depression at an earlier age and have depressive episodes that last longer and tend to recur more often. Women may more
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often have a seasonal pattern to depression, as well as symptoms of atypical depression (for example, eating or sleeping too much, carbohydrate craving, weight gain, a heavy feeling in the arms and legs, mood worsening in the evenings, and trouble getting to sleep). Also, women with depression more often have anxiety, eating disorders, and dependent personality compared to men.
Perimenopause, which is the time of life immediately before and after menopause, can last as long as 10 years.
While perimenopause and menopause are normal stages of life, perimenopause increases the risk of depression during that time. Also, women who have had depression in the past are five times more likely to develop major depression during perimenopause.
Pregnancy is often portrayed as a time of great joy, that's not the reality for all women. At least one in ten pregnant women suffers from bouts of depression.
Depression and anxiety may go undiagnosed because women often dismiss their feelings, chalking them up to the temporary moodiness that often accompanies pregnancy. They exhibit a sense that nothing feels enjoyable or fun anymore, feel sad or “empty for most of the day, find it harder to concentrate, show extreme irritability or agitation or excessive crying, have trouble sleeping, experience extreme or never-ending fatigue, show a desire to eat all the time or not wanting to eat at all and have inappropriate guilt or feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness.
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a condition that describes a range of physical and emotional changes that many mothers can have after having a baby. Postpartum depression (PPD) can happen a few days or even months after childbirth. PPD can happen after the birth of any child, not just the first child. She may cry for no reason and can feel impatient, irritable, restless, anxious, lonely, and sad.
Depression symptoms and signs in teenagers
Depression in teens can look very different from depression in adults. In addition to becoming more irritable, teens might lose interest in activities they formerly enjoyed, experience a change in their weight, and start abusing substances. Depressed teens frequently complain about physical ailments such as headaches or stomachaches. If a thorough physical exam does not reveal a medical cause, these aches and pains may indicate depression.
They show extreme sensitivity to criticism. Depressed teens are plagued by feelings of worthlessness, making them extremely vulnerable to criticism, rejection, and failure. This is a particular problem for "over-achievers."
While adults tend to isolate themselves when depressed, teenagers usually keep up at least some friendships. However, teens with depression may socialize less than before, pull away from their parents, or start hanging out with a different crowd. Teens may go online to escape from their problems. But excessive computer use only increases their isolation and makes them more depressed.
Depression can trigger and intensify feelings of ugliness, shame, failure, and unworthiness. They may also take more risks, show less concern for their safety, and may engage in dangerous or high-risk behaviors, such as reckless driving, out-of-control drinking, etc. They are more likely to complete suicide if they often think, speak, or make "attention-getting" attempts at suicide. Suicidal thoughts or behaviors should always be taken very seriously. |
Interpersonal therapy (IPT) works to change relationships
