Depression Warning Signs

Depression Warning Signs

You could be feel any of the following (all of them ... or a combination):

• sad
• despondent
• hopeless
• low self-esteem
• generally feel badly about yourself
• low energy
• withdrawn
• isolated
• lack of interest in things that previously interested you
• inability to concentrate (or decreased ability)
• irritable (for no apparent reason)
• grouchy (for no apparent reason)
• mind races, like you can't turn it off
• insomnia - can't sleep
• difficulty falling asleep
• sleep way too much
• can't get out of bed
• no motivation to do what you want or need to do
• no appetite (don't feel like eating)
• eat all the time
• feel undeserving of anything good (feel worthless)
• lost a significant amount of weight in a short time
• gained a significant amount of weight in a short time
• thoughts of death
• thoughts of suicide
• feel restless like you can't sit still
• feel guilty
• feel ashamed

Clinical depression symptoms are much the same as the depression warning signs listed above. To qualify as Major Depressive Disorder (or major depression), the episodes of depression must be recurrent. That means there must be at least two occurrences of the following clinical depression symptoms.

Diagnostic Criteria for Major Depressive Episode and Major Depressive Disorder

A. Five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.

1. depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g. feels sad or empty) or observation made by others (e.g. appears tearful). Note: in children and adolescents, can be irritable mood.

2. markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated by either subjective account or observation made by others)

3. significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g. a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day. Note: In children, consider failure to make expected weight gains.

4. insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day

5. psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down)

6. fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day

7. feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt *which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick)

8. diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by subjective account or as observed by others)

9. recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide

B. The symptoms do not meet criteria for a mixed episode

C. The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning

D. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g. a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g. hypothyroidism)

E. The symptoms are not better accounted for by Bereavement, i.e. after the loss of a loved one, the symptoms persist for longer than 2 months or are characterized by marked functional impairment, morbid preoccupation with worthlessness, suicidal ideation, psychotic symptoms or psychomotor retardation.

For Major Depressive Disorder: Presence of two or more Major Depressive Episodes (criteria above); they are not better accounted for by Schizoaffective Disorder and are not superimposed on Schizophrenia, Schizophreniform Disorder, Delusional Disorder, or Psychotic Disorder NOS; and there has never been a Manic Episode, a Mixed Episode, or a Hypomanic Episode.

If these depression warning signs are present, then depression and eating disorders are probably both present and should be brought up in eating disorder treatment.

Read more on Women and Depression.

Go from Depression Warning Signs back to Mental Health Issues

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