Often wrongly, and dangerously, trivialized as being just a form of mood swing, depression is a dangerous mental illness that requires immediate attention. If left untreated, it can have dire repercussions (including suicide!), here are seven signs of depression that everyone should know about.
Random mood swings
If you have a friend who is suddenly suffering from random mood swings that don’t have any specific explanation, it’s a sign of depression.
Loss of appetite
Another common sign of depression is an evident loss of appetite. If you notice a friend not eating the same way he/she used to, it might be cause for worry.
Signs of self harm
Try to notice some visible signs of self harm. Uncanny marks on wrists, or blade marks next to well known arteries, etc. These could mean your friend may be suicidal.
Fatigue
If you notice that your friend has gotten uncharacteristically lazy and that he/she prefers to say in their bed for days on end, it’s a major sign of depression.
Blaming oneself
Another sign of your friend suffering from depression is the unusual behaviour of blaming oneself. If you see a friend who constantly blames himself for everything wrong in his life, it’s a sign of depression.
Dependence on alcohol and other substances
If your friend’s alcohol intake has suddenly shot up, and if you see them getting more and more dependent on it, they might be suffering from depression.
Isolation from everyone
Isolation from everyone is another common sign of depression. If your friend shows zero interest in meeting you or hanging out with you the way they’s used to, that’s a red flag.
