Early signs of depression

     

• Loss of pleasure

• Joylessness

We enjoy our life, going to restaurants, movies, picnics. We plan these activities and derive pleasure. We have seen Sunset umpteen number of times, but still enjoy it again and again. We are happy to see roses. We enjoy pakodas in rainy season. Some people watch Hindi or Marathi serials on T.V. 
If they miss that time, then they watch the repeat telecast next day.

This shows we are enjoying life and not suffering from depression.But,if a person is unable to enjoy life,and does not find any pleasure for a period of 3 weeks, then he is suffering from depression, Although it is subjective, it is very 
reliable.
Diagnosis of depression does not require any tests such as 
X -ray, MRI, sonography, blood test or urine test. It is based on what the patient says.  

Then what happens?

The person does not report this to his family doctor.(what for? I do not have diabetes, blood pressure,backache, I just feel sad. what a doctor can do?) He or she may mention this to the spouse, who will brush it off as something trivial and not to be taken seriously 

If this depression is intense, then it induces some physical signs,such as neck pain or backache,tiredness,gastric upsets, This is called as somatization, (Mental distress transformed into physical  symptoms) Then the spouse and the relatives take the person to a doctor, get all the tests done,advise him to take care, and take some rest.

Physical complaints are respected but not the mental symptoms (they are all in the imagination)