Symptoms of Depression

Since everyone is sometimes feeling depressed many people do not recognize symptoms of depression or believe it will pass on its own. Occasional feelings of sadness, loss of interest and pleasure in otherwise enjoyable activities, low self esteem and lack of energy are common to all people of all nationalities, genders, age groups and social classes and thus many people even those with physical symptoms of depression often deny possibility of being affected by depression. Besides that depression is often considered a sign of emotional or mental weakness (what is incorrect!) and people suffering from any kind of mental disorder including depression are unfortunately often still stigmatized what is probably one of the main reason that many people who are suffering from depression do not seek any help and do not receive any treatment what can have devastating consequences. According to the WHO about 15-20% of depressed people commit suicide, while others are more likely to suffer from various medical disorders and die prematurely.

Feelings of sadness, guilt and shame for no reason, hopelessness, loneliness, low self esteem, anxiety, irritability, lost of interest in normally enjoyable activities and lack of energy are usually the first symptom of depression although melancholic mood does not necessary lead to mental disorder. However, if depressed mood is accompanied with inability to work, study or do daily activities, problems with relations with other people, sleeping disorders, increased desire for food or lack of appetite, concentration difficulties and poor memory, loss of sexual interest, headaches, drug or alcohol abuse, and/or persistent feelings of worthlessness and thoughts of death or suicide one should seek professional help immediately. Depression is a serious mental illness that greatly affects a person's quality of life which can last for months or years if left untreated and will not resolve on its own. Depression can be successfully treated, while professional help and early depression treatment relieves its symptoms and reduces its long-term consequences including risk of suicide.