Depression is a fairly common mental illness among us. It is one of the leading causes of major disability worldwide. There’s at least one person fighting depression and struggling to live on everyday. The World Health Organization (WHO) already called the public's attention to depression and predicted that by 2020, depression will become the 2nd leading cause of disease around the world. 

Data has shown that about 322 million people, which equals to 4.4% of the world population, were diagnosed with depressive disorder in 2015. This number has increased, and is still increasing, since 2005.

Which is why we MUST pay attention to the signs of depression in order to help the high-risk people as well as to prevent ourselves from getting sick from the disease. Read on to find out.

1 Overthinking 

Overthinking is the culprit that contributes greatly to anxiety. Though having your future planned out is a right thing to do, thinking too much of the unpredictable will only make you even more anxious, thus inviting more negative thoughts that will eventually lead to depression. Therefore, we should quit doing this and let nature take its course.

2 Uncontrollable crying

This happens to every person who experiences depressive disorder. Overwhelming feeling of sadness consumes them, leaving them helpless with depressed mood and emptiness. Some will even cry frequently for no apparent reason.

3 Loss of interest in life and experiencing pleasure

People who suffer from depression lost interest in activities they used to enjoy. They feel hopeless in life and are always confused about what they can do.

4 Rapid mood changes

A cheerful person turns temperamental, having a ‘roller coaster’ mood swing and gets angry easily. 

5 Becomes suicidal

‘Death will be the way out’, 

‘My death will do good to my family.’

If the thought of taking your own life ever occurs to you, you might be experiencing depressive disorder. Beware.

~How do I help a depressed friend?~

Remember, 1 Don't judge. 2 Don't do it alone.

All they need is someone who would listen and feel them. Let them open their heart to you, that is the first step to helping them recover.