The distinction between having the blues and clinical depression is the latter requires psychotherapy and medication. Patients experience the following forms of depression: clinical depression, postpartum depression, bipolar depression, manic depression, dysthymia, and cyclothymia. Risk factors for all types of depression are genetics, and trauma, such as ongoing abuse, relationship or job loss, diagnosis of a chronic disease, or the loss of a loved one.

Knowing the early warning symptoms of depression is key to a proper diagnosis:

1. Insomnia

The connection between depression and insomnia is not clear. It could be an inability to calm down enough to enter a restful state. Prolonged sleep deprivation contributes to developing diabetes. There is an increased risk of developing hypertension. In turn, high blood pressure increases the risk of stroke and heart attack.

2. Overeating

Some people try to manage depression by overeating. Foods high in sugar and fat are mood elevators. Not only are these foods unhealthy, but upon reflection, consuming such foods exacerbates other depression symptoms like guilt and feelings of worthlessness. There are also the potential physical consequences of being overweight, like an increased risk of coronary artery disease.

3. Guilt

Guilt can be both a symptom and a cause of depression. Someone with clinical depression may experience delusional guilt. Simply put, delusional guilt is guilt without cause. Depression might be triggered by other forms of guilt, such as:

• Omnipotent responsibility guilt or feeling responsible for everyone
• Guilt from feeling like a burden
• Guilt from self loathing
• Survivors guilt, or outliving a family member or friend

Feeling guilty contributes to the lack of self-esteem and sleeplessness that are symptomatic of depression. Besides the emotional consequences, prolonged guilt has physical effects, including head and stomach ache, and stiff muscles. Guilt impairs the body’s ability to heal and ward off infection. There is a causal link between excessive guilt and developing bipolar disorder.

4. Suicidal thoughts and feelings

The most serious of the early warning symptoms of depression is suicidal ideation, which can be a momentary thought of committing suicide or an obsession with ending your life. In the later case, the depressed individual is incapable of rational thinking about the consequences of self-destruction to themselves or those they leave behind. Contemplating suicide worsens other symptoms of depression (i.e., shame, guilt, anger, and self-loathing). Thinking or talking about suicide could be a plea for help. Suicidal thoughts should never be dismissed and require immediate professional intervention.