Depression occurs when an individual experiences extreme despair that lasts for at least two weeks, according to the website HelpGuide.org, a trusted nonprofit mental health resource. A depressed person may feel so miserable that she no longer performs her daily tasks, has no desire to participate in previously enjoyable activities, avoids spending time with friends and refuses to get out of bed. When the sadness becomes overwhelming and disabling, then it is time to seek medical advice.
A Bleak Outlook
A beginning sign of depression is a bleak outlook, according to HelpGuide.org. During the beginning stages of depression, an individual may become vaguely aware that he has become pessimistic. She may begin to hate her job, her life and herself, but not understand why. This individual may believe that everything in his life is going wrong and that things will never get better. She may obsess on the negativity in her life and ignore the positive things that she has going for herself, such as good friends, a profitable career and a loving family. A depressed individual may believe that there is nothing that he can do to change the situation. She may deny that anything is wrong and blame her gloomy mood on stress or fatigue.
Loss of Interest
Loss of interest is a beginning sign of depression, according to EurekAlert, an online global news service operated by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. A person who is in the early stages of depression may begin to slowly move away from friends and family. He may no longer enjoy things that he used to enjoy, such as going to the movies or hanging out with friends. This individual may stop communicating with family and friends. She may avoid going out with friends by telling them that she wants to spend more time at home, but as the depression escalates, she may become so reclusive that she rarely leaves the house.
Changes in Eating Habits
During the beginning of depression, individuals may have a change in their eating habits, according to Mayo Clinic. These individuals may begin to overeat or they may hardly eat any food at all. At the beginning, depressed individuals will try to hide the change from friends and family. These individuals may try to rationalize the change by telling themselves and others that they are trying out a new diet or that they are hungry because they have been exercising more. While weight gain or weight loss may not very noticeable at first, eventually friends and family will begin to notice that the individual has gained or lost a considerable amount of weight.
Changes in Sleeping Patterns
A common beginning sign of depression is a change in sleeping patterns, according to EurekAlert. During the early stages of depression, a person may either sleep too much or sleep too little. People who sleep too much use sleep as a way to block out the negative feelings they are experiencing. These individuals may sleep for hours and still complain of low energy and fatigue. At the beginning of depression, the individual may not understand why he is sleeping so much. In contrast, a depressed individual who hardly sleeps cannot rest because she is too consumed with negative thoughts.
Low Tolerance
Low tolerance is a common beginning sign of depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. People with the early signs of depression may become easily irritated, restless or appear to be on the edge. A depressed individual may become enraged because his girlfriend forgot to call him after work or his friend canceled plans with him. In addition, a depressed individual may begin to notice how things that used to make her laugh now appear to be childish and annoying. This individual may become short-tempered with a co-worker over a simple question, quit the job he used to love because he is tired of it or abruptly break up with a girl because he hates the way she laughs.
Self-Hatred
Self-hatred is a beginning sign of depression, according to Healthcommunities.com, a physician-developed and monitored website that provides mental health information. During the early stages of depression, depressed individuals may become more aware of their flaws. These individuals may associate their flaws with worthlessness. They may begin to become preoccupied with the shape of their nose, the size of their breasts, freckles or anything that they consider an imperfection.
Reduced Sex Drive
The Mayo Clinic states that reduced sex drive is a beginning sign of depression. In the early stages, depressed people may suddenly lose interest in sex. A depressed individual may blame herself for not wanting to be intimate with her partner.
Suicidal Thoughts
A beginning sign of depression is suicidal thoughts, according to HelpGuide.org. In the beginning stages of depression, people may become consumed with thoughts of death. These individuals feel that the only way to get rid of the pain is through death. A suicidal individual may express feelings of hopelessness, behave recklessly, say goodbye to relatives and give away personal possessions.
