Depression affects millions of people each year across all ages and demographics. Some of the top 10 signs of depression include persistent feelings of sadness, lack of energy, changes in sleep patterns such as insomnia or sleeping too much, changes in appetite, chronic aches and pains, difficulty concentrating, social withdrawal, irritability, and lack of interest in activities that were previously enjoyable. If someone is experiencing several of these signs, it could indicate depression and they should seek treatment from a mental health professional.

1. TOP 10 SIGNS OF DEPRESSION
Depression affects 14.8 million adults, 1 in 33 children
and 1 in 8 adolescents according to the Depression and
Bipolar Support Alliance. It can affect people regardless of
age, gender and race, making it a very serious mental
illness. With that said, let's review the top 10 signs of
depression.

2. 1. PERSISTENT FEELINGS OF SADNESS
Feeling persistently sad, anxious or 'empty' can be a
warning sign that indicates depression. It can be brought
on by experiencing a traumatic, stressful life event like
losing a loved one, going through financial troubles or
even losing a job.

3. 2. LACK OF ENERGY OR FATIGUED
Everyone can feel fatigued from time to time, however, if
fatigue and a general lack of energy lingers, it could be a
sign of depression.

4. 3. INSOMNIA
According to analytical psychologist and therapist Stuart
MacFarlane, insomnia is a tail telling sign of depression.
Sleep patterns can vary from one person to the next, but if
sleep patterns have changed and insomnia is becoming a
problem, it can be associated with depression.

5. 4. SLEEPING TOO MUCH
Another sign of depression is sleeping too much.
Depression symptoms can vary from person to person,
which means someone can sleep too much. They may not
have the drive or motivation to get out of bed and would
rather sleep as much as possible as a coping mechanism.

6. 5. APPETITE CHANGE
If someone with depression has a change in their eating
habits, it's a sign they are feeling depressed. Whether they
dramatically lose a lot of weight from not eating, or they
over eat, it could be a sign of a depressive episode.

7. 6. CHRONIC ACHES & PAIN
Depression can manifest itself in many different ways,
including physical aspects like chronic aches and pain. In
some cases, individuals will report vague pains and aches
in various parts of their body that don't seem to go away.

8. 7. CAN’T CONCENTRATE
Many people can have concentration problems from time
to time, but a depressed person has difficult time
concentrating for a long period of time. Sometimes the
cognitive impairment like this is called pseudodementia.

9. 8. SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL
Depressed individuals will socially withdrawal themselves
from group outings and they tend to shy away from social
interactions.

10. 9. IRRITABILITY
Everyone can become irritated sometimes, however,
persistent irritability is a sign of a depressive episode.

11. 10. LACK OF INTEREST
Someone with depression will begin to lose interest in
things they once enjoyed like hobbies, sports and other
activities.

12. If you or someone you know display these signs and
symptoms, you should seek psychological treatment to
overcome depression.