Medical science recognizes any disease or medical condition based on symptoms. Just as a good doctor can make an assessment of a patient’s condition from the symptoms, a good psychiatrist can evaluate and suggest the right form of treatment to be given to a patient suffering from depression. Symptoms of clinical depression vary amongst people and ranges from mood swings to memory loss. Depression manifests itself in a wide array of experiences and diagnosis is often a complex study. Three most common types of depressive disorders are major clinical depression, dysthymia, and manic depression.

Clinical depression can be classified on the basis of a number of symptoms; for instance, mood swings that interfere with the ability to work, sleep or enjoy pleasurable activities. Recognizing and understanding these symptoms is the most important step in the successful treatment of depression. Common symptoms include persistent mood swings, anxiety, irritability and emotional instability. Clinical depression also causes fatigue or unexplained loss of energy, loss of enthusiasm, unexplained weight loss or weight gain and insomnia. Most patients find difficulty in concentrating or making decisions, coupled with a feeling of hopelessness and guilt. Individuals suffering from depression are also known to have suicidal tendencies. They often do not respond to treatment for headaches, digestive disorders and chronic pain, which they can complain about.

Childhood depression is as serious as adult depression. Symptoms in children include refusal to go to school, reduced interest in extra-curricular activities, morbid fears such as the death of parents and low self-esteem.

It is more difficult to recognize and treat depression amongst teenagers. The line dividing normal adolescent “blues” from clinical depression is very thin. Teenagers, as they grow try to find answers to who they are and what they believe in, tend to have a natural moodiness that is to be expected, and such changes in behavior during the teens are normal. However, problems arise when an adolescent feels helpless and hopeless, coupled with a belief that life is not worth living. Early recognition of such a mood swing helps with knowing when to seek medical assistance.

The time to cure clinical depression is when the symptoms are noticed early and acted upon without delay. It is therefore, critical for everyone to be aware of the symptoms, and to take action as soon as possible, to avoid needless suffering on the part of the depressed.