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A person is said to have depression if he or she has consistently felt dejected, and displays signs of low self-esteem and diminished self-confidence for a fortnight or more. Other signs of depression are also lethargy, sleeplessness, and decreased interest and concentrating ability.
It has been seen that depression is the eighth most important reason for suicide and is the third most important cause for death among people in the age group 15 to 24! Depression usually occurs when a person faces one or more of the following situations.
- Genetic tendency due to heredity factors, leading to a higher risk of depression
- Deprivation of social, emotional, or economic support
- Exposure to substance abuse due to peer pressure
- Earlier instances of depression
- Earlier instances of trying to commit suicide
- A broken relationship
- Postpartum causes (depression caused soon after childbirth)
There are some definite signals that can alert you to the fact that a person is depressed. There may be several psychological symptoms, but since depression is a psychosomatic disorder, physical symptoms are also definitive indicators of the possibility of the ailment.
Physical signs
- Loss of interest in eating; decreased appetite
- Undue tiredness
- Unwillingness to participate in sports or exercises that the person earlier had been enthusiastic about
- Lack of interest in hobbies
- Depression signs seem slightly different for different age groups.
Small children: Yes, small children, including toddlers, also tend to get depressed. They show this kind of mental discomfort by
- Showing no interest in playing
- Being obedient beyond their normal nature
- Trying to hold your attention continuously by extreme show of affection
- Crying for no reason
- Throwing a tantrum t the slightest pretext
School going children
Children of this age group, when depressed, display the following signs of behavior
- The negative approach to all matters involving them (For instance a child becomes convinced that he cannot perform well in the ensuing tests in spite of reassurances)
- Indifference towards leisure time fun and games
- Frequent tantrums to express anger
- Loss of self-confidence and self-assurance
- Frequent expression of displeasure
Adolescents
- Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
- Unexplained mood swings
- Substance abuse
- Thoughts about suicide
- Sleep disorders
Depression in a person can be identified by a few obvious signs across all age groups. When examining a person for depression, doctors diagnose the disorder if any five of the following signs are evident consistently for two weeks or more
- Unexplained pain is several regions of your body
- Persistent guilt accompanied by thoughts about suicide
- Feeling of irritation without reason
- Hyperactive or restless demeanor
- Sleep disorders; sleeping too little or too much
- Eating disorders; eating too little or too much
- Health disorders like digestion problems, constipation, persistent pain in the limbs, and headaches that do not respond to treatment offered by a health caregiver
- Persistent sadness
- Lack of concentration
- Decreased memory prowess
Being aware of these signs will help you identify whether a person may be depressed or not. However, it is only a professional health caregiver who can confirm the disorder.
Related: How to Control Mind
Depression occurs for a variety of reasons and affects people of all age groups. The reason for depression may be hereditary, prior instances of depression, or lack of social and economic support from the family. The signs of depression are evident both in children and adults. Physicians will diagnose a person with depression if at least five of these signs are consistently evident for two weeks or more.
