Signs and symptoms of depression could be extremely complex and vary widely between different people. So, if one is depressed, they might end up feeling hopeless, sad, and maybe even lose interest in things that one once used to enjoy. These signs and symptoms could persist for weeks or maybe even months and are bad enough to interfere with family life, social life, and even work. There are many early warning signs and symptoms of depression, and they can be classified into different kinds according to how they manifest and affect people.

Social Symptoms
The early warning social signs and symptoms of depression include

• Having difficulties at home or work
• Neglecting hobbies and interests
• Avoiding social contact and activities

Physical Symptoms
The early warning physical signs and symptoms of depression include

• Disturbed sleep patterns
• Low sex drive
• Lack of energy
• Unexplained aches and pains
• Constipation
• Fluctuating appetite and weight
• Moving or speaking more slowly than usual

Psychological Symptoms
The early warning psychological signs and symptoms of depression include

• Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
• Anxiety
• Difficulty in making decisions
• No motivation or interest in things
• Feeling irritable and intolerant of others
• High levels of guilt
• Low self-esteem
• Feeling hopeless and helpless
• Continuous low mood

Seasonal Affective Disorder
This kind of depression is also called “winter depression.” A seasonal affective disorder is a kind of depression that occurs as a seasonal pattern, which is usually related to the winter season.

Bipolar Disorder
This is also called “manic depression,” wherein there are spells of both excessively high mood (mania) as well as depression. Also, the signs and symptoms of depression are similar to clinical depression, but the bouts of mania could include harmful behavior such as reckless indulgences in vices.

Postnatal Depression
Sometimes, new fathers develop depression after the birth of a baby. This is known as postnatal depression, and the treatment for it is similar to other kinds of depression with antidepressant medicines as well as talking therapies.

Severity Signs and Symptoms
Depression could often gradually creep up, so it could be difficult to notice that something is wrong. So, many people try and cope with their signs and symptoms without realizing that they are unwell. The severity of depression is three-fold:

• Mild Depression
  This has some impact on one’s daily lives.
• Moderate Depression
  This has a significant impact on one’s daily lives.
• Severe Depression
  This makes it almost impossible to get through one’s daily lives. In fact, there are a few people with severe depression who could even have psychotic symptoms.