Depression Symptoms

If you have been experiencing several of the depression symptoms below for more than 2 weeks, contact your doctor. If you have been thinking about death or suicide, call your doctor today.

• Feeling miserable and sad almost everyday?
• Losing interest in most activities?
• Feeling anxious or irritable?
• Having trouble concentrating or remembering?
• Feeling tired?
• Feeling guilty?
• Sleeping too much or too little?
• Eating too much or too little?
• Have medically unexplained aches and pains?
• Thinking of death or suicide?

In addition, excessive alcohol consumption and drug abuse is prevalent among those with underlying depressive disorders.

Manic symptoms (only for bipolar disorder)

Include 'low' depression symptoms above and the following 'high' symptoms:

• Increased energy and decreased need for sleep.
• Excessive irritability, euphoria, or aggressive behavior.
• Increased talkativeness or pressured speech.
• Disconnected and racing thoughts.
• Impulsive behavior and poor judgment such as spending sprees, erratic driving, or sexual indiscretions.
• Inflated self-esteem
• Increased goal-directed activities
• Distractibility

Signs for family/friends

Common behaviors that family/friends often notice in people with depression (usually these are abrupt or sudden behavior changes):

• Talking very negatively
• Acting unreasonably, without concern for others
• Abusing alcohol or drugs
• Picking fights, being irritable, critical, or mean
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Having trouble at work or school
• Talking suddenly about separation or divorce
• Complaining of aches and pains
• Eating too little or too much
• Sleeping too much or too little

Warning Signs of Suicide

• Talking about suicide.
• Talking about hopelessness and worthlessness.
• Being preoccupied with death.
• Suddenly being happier and calmer.
• Making unusual visits or calling people one cares about.
• Making arrangements, affairs in order.
• Giving things away.