Symptoms:
Physical Changes
Change in Sleep
- Can be a combination of sleeping more and less
- Teenagers can describe that they are not sleeping very well and will not feel well rested even if sleeping the same or more
- Early morning awakening and being unable to fall back asleep is common
- This early morning time is often a time that people will have negative thoughts in their mind that keep them awake
Change in Appetite
- Can go both ways but represents a change in normal appetite for the person
- Some can lose appetite in food, eat less and lose weight
- Others will find comfort in food and eat unhealthy sweet and fatty foods in a binge pattern
Change in Energy
- People with Major Depression can feel exhausted
- Any new activities require more effort
- There can be a narrowing of activities as a result
Change in Concentration
- Can show up as a drop in grades or reduced school performance
- Can also show as an increase in time required to perform tasks
- Tasks such as reading a book or holding a conversation can become more difficult
Feeling Restless or Slowed Down
- Presents as feeling slowed down most of the time with moments of feeling revved up, restless, and anxious
- Very uncomfortable feeling that often leads to a desire to engage in behaviors to change the way restlessness feels, even if just for a short time