A serious condition that affects a person’s physical and mental health, depression is characterized by a feeling of low self-esteem and sadness, along with a loss of interest in things that one enjoyed previously. The signs of depression can range from mild to severe, and the condition can also impair a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. Depression can affect a person of any age, and leaving the early signs untreated can lead to severe consequences. So, it is important to understand the early warning signs of the condition so that timely help can be taken and the condition can be managed effectively:

• Prolonged or lack of sleep
  Either sleeping too much or being insomniac is one of the early signs of depression. Sleep disorders directly affect the mood and energy levels of an individual, and abnormal sleep patterns can lead to depression.
• Lack of enthusiasm in things once enjoyed
  One of the early warning signs of depression is a lack of enjoyment of the activities that a person used to enjoy earlier. It can be physical or social, like eating habits, physical intimacy, or socializing, which one may have lost interest in. Usually, depression is characterized by a person wanting to remain alone and detached.
• Anxiety
  A restless mind that keeps on pondering over insignificant thoughts and makes a person feel bad about themselves is one of the early warning signs of depression as it can trigger the symptoms of depression.
• Impatient
  A person suffering from depression may get agitated at the smallest things and snap at colleagues, family, or friends. Feeling restless and irritated is one of the early warning signs of depression.
• Lack of concentration
  People suffering from depression might find it difficult to concentrate, and they also find it difficult to make decisions due to a lack of focus.
• Appetite changes
  People suffering from depression either tend to eat more or face a lack of appetite, resulting in prominent weight gain or loss, respectively.
• Isolation
  A person stopping socializing and preferring to stay in isolation instead may be showing an early warning sign of depression.
• Refusal to accept a problem
  An attitude that leads one to refuse to accept an issue and deal with it may lead them to suffer from depression.

Diagnosis of depression
If the above-mentioned symptoms tend to persist, one should consult a physician and undergo a physical examination to understand the underlying cause of the condition. Once the underlying cause and the severity are determined, the physician might suggest therapy sessions and medication to help overcome the symptoms of depression.

It’s very important for a person to understand the early warning signs of depression to help them deal with the condition effectively. Also, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eating healthy food, exercising regularly, and practicing meditation can help prevent and improve the signs and symptoms of depression.