How to Identify Clinical Depression Symptoms

Identify clinical depression symptoms by paying attention to sleep patterns, eating habits and weight changes. Excessive feelings of sadness, melancholy and worry may indicate depression. Losing interest in activities and feeling low in energy are also common signs to keep an eye on.

• Identify clinical depression symptoms by paying attention to energy levels. In cases of consistent feelings of little energy for daily tasks, and no physical explanations exist, it may be symptoms of suffering from depression.


• Pay attention to sleep patterns. Insomnia, oversleeping and interrupted sleep are symptoms of depression. A depressed person may feel worried or sad, staying awake at night with thoughts of dread. Oversleeping is often a sign of not wanting to get out of bed to face the world.


• Consider changes in interest level. Finding a lack of interest or enjoyment in activities that used to be fun or exciting are sure signs of being blue.


• Examine emotional state. Feeling sad, worried or suffering from thoughts of worthlessness are symptoms of clinical depression.


• Assess any changes in weight. Excessive weight gained in a short amount of time may result from inactivity and using food to remove sadness. Conversely, loss of appetite or lack of interest in food may lead to weight loss.


• Pay attention to a preoccupation with the subject of death. Depression may cause to spend time thinking about death, discussing it or contemplating suicide.


• Look for signs of postpartum depression. If just given birth and feel low energy or sadness, it may be postpartum depression.


• Consider the impact of weather changes. Some people suffer from seasonal affective disorder, which results from extended periods in the winter during which little to no sunlight is available.