Common Early Warning Signs of Depression

The list below of common early warning signs might help you think of the changes in your mood that you may notice. If you find it difficult to identify your early warning signs, you might consider discussing it with a trusted friend, family member, or your doctor. This may be helpful for gathering feedback about any changes they may notice.

Common Early Warning Signs of Depression

Changes in behaviour

• withdraw from others
• don’t go out as much
• don’t answer your phone
• hard to get up in morning
• changes to sleep pattern such as hard to get to sleep, waking in middle of night and having problems returning to sleep, getting up out of bed later than usual, sleeping more than usual, taking naps during the day.
• harder to get going
• changes in appetite

Changes in feelings

• feeling slow and sluggish
• feeling hopeless and/or helpless
• feeling down and sad
• feelings of guilt and/or self blame
• having little or no interest in sex
• feeling tired
• feelings of agitation
• feeling irritable
• feeling numb
• feeling like you just can’t be bothered or  get motivated
• not interested in things that you usually love or like to do
• not able to enjoy things as much

Changes in thoughts

• thinking is slowed and more difficult
• hard to concentrate
• self talk is critical and blaming
• difficult to think things through and make decisions
• lots of worrying thoughts
• thoughts that repeat over and over again
• thoughts of self harm
• thoughts are negative about self, others or future