Most of us have experienced days when we felt inadequate, restless, or irritable. However, if symptoms last longer than two weeks, they require evaluation by a medical professional. There are classic symptoms for depression and, in fact, these symptoms are the criteria used by medical professionals to diagnose clinical depression.

Can you recognize the signs and symptoms of depression in your family and loved ones? Admittedly, we don't go around looking for symptoms in ourselves, or others, but we need to be aware of what they are and be able to recognize them. I think it's most difficult to recognize them in the people we love, because of scarcity of family time and hectic schedules.

What are the signs and symptoms of depression? If five or more of these symptoms are present for two or more weeks, the odds are, a diagnosis of depression will be made. Some of these symptoms are shared with other illnesses and disorders making it necessary for medical professionals to administer more tests in the diagnosis.

1. Trouble sleeping or sleeping excessively is a classic symptom: the majority of depression falls in the trouble sleeping or insomnia category with 15% in the excessive sleep category.

2. A dramatic change in appetite can mean that too much food is being consumed as comfort food or loss of appetite is at work in depression.

3. Fatigue or lack of energy can come from other illness or hormone deficiency. Only a doctor can determine if depression is causing this condition.

4. Feelings of worthlessness, self-hate, and inappropriate guilt are clear signs that some trouble is going on in a person's thought and emotional life.

5. Extreme difficulty in concentrating is a symptom of depression, but share symptoms with other illness or disorders, such as attention deficient disorder.

6. Agitation, restlessness and irritability are symptoms shared with other disorders or illnesses. A doctor has to determine if it is depression.

7. Withdrawal from usual activities is a red flag alerting you to the possibility of depression.

8. Loss of interest in pleasurable activities like sex or hobbies; anything that once was enjoyable.

9. Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness are warning signals and symptomatic of depression.

10. Thoughts of death or speaking of suicide are danger signs that must be taken seriously and addressed with professional help.

Who is at risk for depression? People are at risk for depression when there is a family history of depression, abusive family situations, unrealistic goals and expectations. Environmental pressures and emotional loss create still more risks. If you're female, you are twice as likely to have depression.

There are different levels of depression from mild to severe and each has its own treatment plan with some options in the milder depressions. Recognizing the signs of depression will go far in fighting the good fight against depression.

Resources:
http://Mayoclinic.com
http://WebMD.com
http://howstuffworks.com

Learn more about this author, Mona Gallagher.
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