What are signs of depression and can it come and go?

[Bimpy19]

Can you let me know signs of depression?

[jemma116]

As well as the symptoms mentioned by the previous posters, you may also neglect your hygiene and won't be bother about your appearance.

You may also shy away from people and won't feel like going out or seeing anyone.

Making any decisions will be a challenge.

You may even have suicidal thoughts or think that life is not worth living.

Some people will not accept that there is anything wrong and that they are fine.  Family and friends may notice that something is not right.

Depression can come and go.  Medications need to be taken for a few weeks before any benefit is felt.  But if you stop the medication once the depression is under control, the depression return.

We all have ups and downs, but if you have been feeling very low for a few weeks, you do require help.

If you have been feeling low for over a few, make a appointment to see your doctor and discuss how you feel with him.  Write a list before you go and give it to the doctor as you may find it hard to remember your symptoms when at the doctor's appointment.  Sometimes a doctor will give you a questionnaire to fill in whilst you are in the consultation room.  Depending on your answers and the score, the doctor will be able to tell if you are suffering from depression.

He may prescribe an antidepressant for you and/or refer you for counselling to help you.  Some people may require cognitive behavioural therapy counselling to change the pattern of negative thinking.

Depression can also exacerbate any physical problems that you may have.

Sometimes there is an underlying cause to why a person becomes depressed like in the case of bereavement, or accumulative stressful situations.  Sometimes there is no specific cause.

If you or someone you know is has been feeling very low for a few weeks, do get medical help and advice.

Best wishes.

[SassyLassie]

If you identify with several of the following signs and symptoms, and they just won’t go away, you may be suffering from clinical depression.
◾you can’t sleep or you sleep too much
◾ you can’t concentrate or find that previously easy tasks are now difficult
◾ you feel hopeless and helpless
◾ you can’t control your negative thoughts, no matter how much you try
◾ you have lost your appetite or you can’t stop eating
◾ you are much more irritable, short-tempered, or aggressive than usual
◾ you’re consuming more alcohol than normal or engaging in other reckless behavior
◾you have thoughts that life is not worth living (seek help immediately if this is the case)

[Bubulous]

It can kind of depend on how far into depression a person is but in my experience it usually starts with:

Lack of interest in things that used to be fun
Sleeping excessively or not at all depending on the person
Little to no appetite to excessive eating also depending on the person
Lack of concentration
When it escalates to a point where I have truly lost control I find myself not leaving the bed for days and having the feeling that even basic tasks are not possible because they would take too much energy.