A person suffering a major depressive episode almost always reports a pervasive low mood, and loss of interest or pleasure in favorite activities. They may ruminate over or be preoccupied with feelings of worthlessness, inappropriate or exaggerated guilt or regret, helplessness or hopelessness.
Symptoms include:
1: Poor concentration and memory,
2: Withdrawal from social situations, family gatherings and activities with friends.
3: Thoughts of death or suicide.
4: Insomnia is a common symptom; the typical pattern is one of early morning wakening where the person reports waking up very early and being unable to get back to sleep.
5: Hypersomnia, or oversleeping, is less common.
6: Appetite is often decreased, with resulting weight loss, although increase and weight gain occasionally occurs.
7: Fatigue, headaches, digestive problems, or chronic pain, or describe
8: Feeling "slowed down" or sluggish.
9: Person appears agitated or slowed down.
10: Loss of interest or pleasure in favorite activities.
The impact on functioning and well-being in moderate to severe cases is equivalent to that of congestive heart failure.
Depression is often associated with unemployment and poverty.
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