Sadness and Irritability
Someone who's depressed may seem extremely sad or overly irritable. Men are more likely to express depression through anger and irritability than sadness. For example, a man who's depressed might pick fights with his spouse, start physical fights at a bar and snap at his children. Someone who is experiencing these symptoms might be seen by others as dramatic, mean, insensitive or uptight when he's actually depressed. At work, this person could seem like he just likes to argue with others. Someone might see a depressed friend as someone who gets upset over every little thing.
Many people experiencing depression feel hopeless and worthless. They might constantly complain and be off putting to others. No one likes to be around someone who is always angry or complaining.
Isolation and Low Energy Level
People diagnosed with depression usually have a low energy level and may isolate themselves from others. Men are more likely to isolate themselves from friends and family and refuse help. If someone becomes depressed and stops going to her weekly softball games, turns down dinner with close friends numerous times and doesn't answer the phone when her family members call, she might appear inconsistent or unreliable. This person's friends might give up on the friendship and family members might stop trying to call.
Risky Behaviors
Some people diagnosed with depression partake in risky behaviors such as having unsafe sex, drinking and driving and using drugs. Someone doing these behaviors might be seen by others as reckless, irresponsible and thoughtless. People can lose the trust and respect of friends and family members by doing these careless behaviors. Sometimes it requires years of family therapy to repair relationships that are broken from these types of behaviors. Some people are more easy to forgive than others.
Strangers who see someone participating in risky behaviors may think that person is an easy target or is someone to stay away from. For example, a depressed woman at a bar who's dressed scantily and making out with almost any man may seem like an easy target to a man looking to take someone home that night.
Work
Many times people with depression are unable to keep up with their responsibilities at work. Their bosses may see them as unreliable and inconsistent which could wind up in dismissal from their jobs. People with depression don't always tell their employers what is happening for fear that they'll be let go, so they may try to keep the issue to themselves. Other employees may feel resentful that they have to pick up the slack and see the person as lazy.
