Tags: signs | depression

5 Signs Someone Is Suffering Depression

By    |   Friday, 04 September 2015 04:59 PM EDT

Recognizing the signs of depression can be an important step toward healing. Knowing that a friend or loved one needs emotional support or medical intervention can make the difference in saving their life.

Statistics show that more than one out of 10 people with depression commit suicide, according to WebMD. Here are five warning signs that someone is suffering depression.

1. Sleep Problems — Sometimes someone who is depressed will have insomnia, and often, that person may fall asleep only to wake up during the middle of the night or in early morning, noted Dr. Norman Rosenthal on his website.

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2. Lack of Interest — Often, a person with depression will have no interest in things that once ` brought pleasure, Rosenthal noted.

"Your loved one may gravitate only to those things that are easily enjoyed and require the least amount of effort, such as playing video-games, sitting in front of the TV or surfing the Web. This readily leads to thoughts or comments such as 'You have plenty of time and interest for surfing the Web, but not when it comes to spending quality time with me.' Engaging with another person and meeting that person’s needs require more effort than surfing the Web and therefore may be an early sign of depression," Rosenthal wrote.

3. Overeating or Loss of Appetite — These changes in eating habits, along with weight loss or gains, are often telltale signs that someone is depressed, noted WebMD.

4. Frequent Headaches — Headaches, stomach aches or digestive problems (that don't seem to improve even after treatment) may be signals that someone has deep anxiety or depression, WebMD added.

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5. Thoughts of Suicide — Those who talk about suicide should be taken seriously, experts say. It's a sure sign that depression is serious and a person is likely to need not only therapy but medication, according to SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education).

SAVE added: "Chronic depression can lead to feelings of despair and hopelessness, and a suicide attempt is one way some people choose to express these feelings. Most people who attempt or commit suicide don't really want to die — they just want their pain and suffering to end. A suicide attempt is also not done to gain someone's sympathy, as those that attempt to take their life do it for internal reasons-they simply can't stand the pain they feel emotionally and/or physically. … A suicide attempt must always be taken seriously."

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Health-Wire
Recognizing the signs of depression can be an important step toward healing. Knowing that a friend or loved one needs emotional support or medical intervention can make the difference in saving their life.
signs, depression
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2015-59-04
Friday, 04 September 2015 04:59 PM
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