Depression Symptom Checklist
Every morning, Jane wakes up and starts her day like most people.

She pulls herself out of bed, showers, and looks in the mirror. She sighs and trots downstairs for breakfast. The kids are hungry and arguing at the kitchen table while waiting for their morning meal.

Although she's had a good night's sleep, Jane already feels overwhelmed, sighs, and stares out of the window. Jane leads a good life. She is financially secure and blessed with a wonderful family - except that she suffers from depression symptoms.

Depression symptoms can manifest themselves in many different ways. Some of these symptoms are typical and are often more noticeable than others.

These symptoms of depression can include disrupted sleep patterns, mood swings, fatigue, changes in appetite, feelings of guilt or hopelessness, or a general loss of interest.

Other symptoms of depression are atypical, such as thoughts of suicide, drastic shifts in weight loss or weight gain, general pain or stomach upset, as well as difficulty making decisions.

There are many different types of depression. Postpartum depression is a more deeply developed case of "the baby blues" experienced by new mothers or those that have recently given birth.

Postpartum depression may give way to a more potentially unhealthy condition called postpartum psychosis. Psychotic depression occurs when typical depression symptoms are also manifested with bouts of psychosis such as a delusional mind state or hallucinations.

Seasonal affective depression, or SAD, are bouts of depression that occur each year at a certain time of year, particularly in autumn or winter.

Manic depression or bipolar disorder is marked by sudden and often extreme mood changes, moving from one "polar opposite" to the other.

Depression symptoms can be the signs of depression or other medical conditions that with proper treatment, can make life enjoyable once more.