What are the basic signs of having depression?

Depression is a serious mental health condition that affects how you think, feel and act. It can be overwhelming and sometimes disabling, but with treatment it can be managed. Unfortunately, the signs of depression often go unrecognized or untreated in many people — the symptoms are too often mistaken for normal feelings of sadness.

The primary symptoms of clinical depression include persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness or hopelessness; feeling overly guilty; decreased interest in previously enjoyed activities; difficulty concentrating; trouble sleeping or excessive sleepiness/ fatigue; changes in appetite and/or weight loss/gain; agitation or restlessness (or slowed movement); thoughts of suicide or death; aches and pains that don’t have an apparent physical cause.

In addition to these physical manifestations, those who suffer from depression may also experience psychological symptoms such as a lack of self-confidence and self-esteem, withdrawal from social contact (i.e., avoiding friends), irritability (such as trying to pick a fight over small things) intense mood swings between happiness and extreme sadness which could lead to panic attacks etc.  Additionally they may be more susceptible to anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If left unchecked these conditions can wreak havoc on one's mental health leading them into what is known as a depressive episode.

Depression isn't just about having occasional down periods—it's more than temporary sorrow caused by unfortunate events like losing a loved one or not getting that job you wanted. Symptoms tend to last longer than regular bouts of unhappiness—and if they become severe enough they risk disrupting your daily life with little ability on your part at times to make yourself feel better even temporarily after having reached rock bottom so speak .As time progresses it becomes increasingly important for people suffering from depression to seek appropriate medical attention for their issues - because if left untreated depression has been known cause permanent damage both mentally / emotionally but also physically due its effects on ones body via prolonged exposure hormones stemming from unstable emotions during their darkest hours.. Only through proper therapy combined with medication will sufferers come back out , ready to live happy ever after again after experiencing intensive periods darkness within minds..