Depression refers to a serious medical illness that can impact how you feel, think, or react. People who are suffering from this condition report feeling sad and low. In most cases, depression does not result from a single condition but is caused by a mix of events. It is not a disease that should be taken lightly and demands instant attention. One of the best ways of managing depression is to begin early treatment. But not all the physical and emotional symptoms of this illness are easy to identify. Thus, in order to help you out, we have enlisted some signs of this mental disorder. To know about them in detail, read further!

1. Insomnia

Your sleep patterns are of great significance in identifying whether you have depression. Generally, people who have this mental disorder report sleeping poorly. They experience disturbance in their sleep cycle and rest for fewer hours than they used to. However, it must be noted that a lack of sleep for a couple of nights is not uncommon, especially if you are under a lot of stress. But, if the condition persists for a long time in the absence of any trigger, then it might be a sign.
2. Fatigue

Many of us feel tired after a hectic day. So, fatigue on its own is not necessarily a sign of depression. However, if you feel continuously tired and the condition is accompanied by a gloomy mood and lack of interest in carrying out any activity, it may be an early sign of depression.
3. Excessive sleepiness-

Research suggests that seven to eight hours of sleep is enough for adults. It recharges your mind and body and restores balance. However, most of us experience this urge to not get out of bed every morning. But, if this urge becomes irresistible despite sleeping for 8 hours every night, then it is not a good sign. So, people who are experiencing sad and melancholy and have excessive sleepiness should consider visiting their mental health specialist for a check-up.
4. Changes in appetite

It is not uncommon to lose your appetite or feel excessively hungry from time to time. It happens with almost everyone. But, if your fluctuating desire is coupled with other symptoms like loss of sleep, excessive fatigue, or emotions of sadness, then it might be a cause of concern. Gaining at least 5 per cent of weight within a short period of time can be a part of depression.
5. Social withdrawal

If you are an extrovert and suddenly you have this unexplained urge to remove yourself from society, it can be a potential sign of depression. People who have this mental illness want to withdraw from social interactions and group activities. Furthermore, if such people become suicidal, there is a lesser chance of the attempt to go unnoticed and unstopped. Thus, depressed people should not be left alone.

So, these are some common signs of depression that you must be careful about.