In this competitive world, we all have aims & targets to achieve, to make ourselves successful, to build future for children, to look after parents, to maintain status. These cause people to feel stressed, burnt out and sometimes sad. We have our own de-stress strategies to fight the daily hassles.

But when in-between all the happenings, a person starts feeling sadness, losses interest in daily activities, feels low energy in the body for long period of time that also interferes in his routine and functioning, it is definitely a matter of concern. If it lasts for more than 2 weeks, that’s when you need to check with the doctor. Feeling uneasy and sad for a few days is part of normal mood but long term changes must be taken seriously and should be consulted with professionals.

• Loss of interest in activities
• Change in appetite
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual
• Unexplained aches and pains
• Fatigue or lack of energy
• Agitation or irritability with co-workers and family
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
• Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, guilt or inadequacy

A person suffering from depression has difficulties in maintaining their hygiene, routine, relationships with family members and colleagues and often has to bear the criticism at work for the disturbances depression causes at the workplace.

Reaching out to mental health professionals such as psychiatrist, psychologist, counsellor, the psychiatric social worker is recommended here, as they form the treating team and provide for medications and therapy for the illness.