Most of us mistake unhappiness for “depression.” However, depression is one of the cruelest diseases that could affect anyone. It spreads into one’s existence like wildfire. Slowly, the person slides down into a mental state where every life incident feeds off of each other, increasing the severity. Therefore, it is crucial to look out for some of the early warning signs listed below. 

1. Hopelessness
When a person starts feeling hopeless and slowly develops self-hate or guilt, which is entirely inappropriate or uncalled for, it could potentially be an early warning sign of depression. Some of the terms commonly thrown around are “It’s my fault,” or “What’s the whole point of it?”

2. Lack of interest
Depression sucks enjoyment from the individual and everything they love. Withdrawal or loss of interest from activities they used to love doing or look forward to no longer seem to please them anymore. For example, a person interested in sports no longer indulges in it or does not look forward to it. There is also less sexual drive. 

3. Sleep problems and tiredness
One of the significant reasons a person stops doing all the activities they usually love is because they are tired most of the time. Depression is mostly accompanied by a lack of energy and fatigue, making the person sleep often and in excess. On the contrary, depression is also linked to insomnia, or insomnia could, in turn, trigger depression too. Lack of good quality sleep leads to anxiety. 

4. Anxiety
Depression and anxiety could occur together, and some of the signs are nervousness, feeling tense, rapid heart rate, feelings of dread or danger, rapid breathing, and increased sweating rate. Besides, one of the common and early warning signs would be a lack of focus or inability to think clearly. 

5. Gender-specific signs
Depression could affect both genders in its own way. Men are known to have severe irritability and tend to show extreme behaviors (escapist or risky), and tend to abuse drugs. On the other hand, women get into the denial mode but are known to handle the situation better between the sexes.

6. Change in weight and appetite
This largely depends on the individual. Some tend to binge eat and gain a lot of weight, while others go hungry and sometimes starve, losing weight. The early sign here is to find the intention behind losing or gaining weight. If the weight is intentional, the person is safe, but if it is unintentional, it could be caused due to depression. 

7. Outpour of emotions
Without external stimuli, a person with depression tends to have anger outbursts, mostly followed by uncontrollable crying suddenly. Since depression causes mood swings, the intensity of emotions could be vigorous, which is one of the most common signs of depression.

Ensure to seek an expert opinion when you get any of the signs mentioned above.