It is important to recognize the signs of depression in order to be able to seek help. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the better the outcome for a person suffering from depression. Here are 12 common signs that may indicate you or someone you know is struggling with depression.

1. Difficulty Concentrating

People who suffer from depression often have difficulty focusing on tasks and paying attention. This can make it hard to stay organized and complete simple tasks, leading to feelings of frustration and stress.

2. Changes in Appetite

Depression can cause changes in appetite – either an increase or decrease in hunger levels – as well as changes in eating habits such as skipping meals or overeating. If you notice a change in your loved one’s eating habits, this could be a sign of depression.

3. Sleep Problems

Whether it’s difficulty falling asleep or not being able to stay asleep, insomnia is one of the most common symptoms associated with depression. This can lead to fatigue, irritability and further trouble concentrating during the day.

4. Low Energy Levels

People with depression often report feeling sluggish, tired and unmotivated most days. This can manifest itself through a lack of energy that makes everyday activities seem overwhelming and daunting.

5. Feelings of Hopelessness

Those suffering from depression often experience intense feelings of helplessness, hopelessness and worthlessness that last for weeks or months at a time without relief from positive thoughts or experiences.

6. Irritability

Depressed people may become irritable quickly due to their heightened emotional state and difficulty coping with everyday situations they once found manageable before developing depression symptoms.

7. Withdrawal from Social Activities

People struggling with depression may begin avoiding social activities they once enjoyed because they no longer take pleasure in them or find them to personally taxing.

8. Loss Of Interest In Hobbies/Activities

Low moods associated with depression can cause people to lose interest in hobbies or activities they once found enjoyable, making them feel isolated and disconnected from others.

9. Feeling Guilty Or Worthless

Negative self-talk characterized by guilt, shame, self-blame and worthlessness are common signs of depression. Even when these thoughts aren’t rational, people dealing with major depressive disorder (MDD) may still struggle to “talk themselves out” of this type of thinking.

10. Suicidal Thoughts

One serious sign of major depressive disorder (MDD) is suicidal ideation —thinking about ending one’s own life—or suicide attempts. If someone close to you has mentioned wanting to end their life, get help immediately by calling 911 or going directly to an emergency room for evaluation.

11. Restlessness

People dealing with MDD might exhibit restlessness, meaning they have trouble sitting still for long periods of time due to physical agitation such as pacing back and forth, wringing hands together, etcetera. This restlessness often goes hand-in-hand with other symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, etcetera.

12. Aches And Pains

Although medically unexplained physical aches and pains are not always indicative of mental health issues like MDD, some research shows that up to 75 percent of people experiencing clinical depression also experience chronic pain—especially back pain—that doesn’t seem connected to any medical condition other than their mental health status itself.

Knowing the signs of depression is essential if we want those who need help but don’t realize they’re suffering from this illness get proper treatment as soon as possible; however, it’s important not jump straight into diagnosing yourself or anyone else based on these 12 signs alone since many conditions share some similar characteristics like low energy levels, sleep problems, etcetera…

If you believe yourself or someone close might have MDD, it’s best to consult a mental health professional for proper assessment so that an accurate diagnosis can be made followed by personalized treatment plan tailored specifically for each individual’s needs.