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Step 2 - Identifying Key Features: Symptoms of Depression

This step focuses on recognizing the primary features and symptoms of depression, which is crucial for differentiation and management.

Depression manifests through a variety of symptoms, which can be categorized into emotional, physical, and behavioral aspects.

Emotional Symptoms​

  • Persistent Sadness: This is the most common symptom, where the individual feels a sense of despair and emptiness.
  • Feelings of Hopelessness or Worthlessness: Individuals may have a negative outlook on life and experience feelings of guilt or low self-worth.
  • Loss of Interest or Pleasure: Lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyable, including sex.

Physical Symptoms​

  • Changes in Appetite or Weight: Significant weight loss or weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite.
  • Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia or sleeping too much.
  • Fatigue: Feeling physically drained or tired most of the time.

Behavioral Symptoms​

  • Difficulty Concentrating: Trouble focusing, remembering, or making decisions.
  • Restlessness or Irritability: Feeling agitated, unable to sit still, or becoming easily annoyed.
  • Suicidal Thoughts or Attempts: In severe cases, depression may lead to thoughts of death or suicide.

Understanding these symptoms is crucial for identifying depression and seeking appropriate help. In the next section, we will explore how depression affects cognitive processes and thought patterns.