Causes of Depression

Like any other form of illness, mental illness has several different form, and this is also true of depression.  Signs and symptoms can be obvious or very subtle. 

By learning to spot the early signs of depression , it is possible to keep each episode from becoming a major depressive episode or even being life-threatening.  While one can often spot such sings in the themselves, it can be very difficult to see in others, especially if they're being evasive about it. 

1.     Recurring and incessant sadness – perhaps the most obvious and common symptom of depression is a sadness – “the blues” -- that simply don't go away.  While this isn't so much of a problem for a few days, when it goes on for even as long as a week, it is a sign of trouble.

2.     Long crying jags – Associated with the sadness is the outward sign of very regular weeping.  While it is certainly normal for anyone to cry from time to time, clinical depression in both men and women can result in highly emotional responses to what would normally be benign happenings.

3.     Difficulty with concentration and decision making – inner thoughts of worthlessness and sadness can get in the way of normal, daily life.  By the same token, making decisions can seem fraught with innumerable conflicts, paralyzing the decision-maker with far too many options, all of them bad.

4.     Recurrent feelings of hopelessness – Perhaps one of the most destructive signs of clinical depression, the feeling of hopelessness is what many who attempt suicide cite as their motivation.  This is also often accompanied by very harsh self-criticism and self-loathing that further contributes to the unreasonably pessimistic outlook that so often characterizes clinical depression.  Signs and symptoms that accompany such feeling usually include a constantly critical inner dialog.

5.     Restlessness and irritability – When dealing with depression, signs and symptoms don't always seem to follow.  While    it is also common to become listless, depression also can take the form of unease that can lead to very erratic behavior that some lay-people refer to as manic depression.

6.     Apathy regarding formerly interesting and pleasurable activities – Though perhaps just as common as “the blues,” many report that activities and media they once found enjoyable are no longer of interest.  This clearly indicates a changed perspective that characterizes clinical depression.  For adults, a loss of interest in sex is among the most common early signs of depression .

7.     significant weight loss or gain over a short period of time – generally more than 5% of a person's body mass lost or gained in the span of a month or so is considered a warning sign, unless there's something else going on. 

8.     Difficulty sleeping or irregular sleeping patterns – because the normal patterns of behavior have been changed, those suffering from depression often find themselves up at night.  While a lifetime of being a night-owl is not something to be concerned about, a sudden and otherwise unexplained change to such a schedule is often a sign of depression.

9.     Physical weakness and other physical problems – among the most common physical problems that can plague those suffering from depression are backaches and headaches.  These are very often brought about as a result of stress and tension. 

10.   Suicidal thoughts – perhaps more dangerous than any other sign of depression are thoughts of suicide.  These can sometimes be overwhelming for someone suffering from depression.  It is very important in such cases that any mention of such thoughts is taken very seriously.

These signs and symptoms will occur in different measure at different times, even in the same person's life.  The presence of one is reasonable cause to be on the lookout for others.