Depression is a mental health condition that can cause mood swings, lowered energy levels, and bouts of sadness. Feeling low once in a while is normal. However, if you think you are unable to function normally on most days of the week, then you could be undergoing depression. Here are some of the early warning signs of depression that you should know about.

1. Insomnia
One of the early warning signs of depression that you should be aware of is insomnia. This condition renders you unable to sleep at night. Many people go through a couple of days of sleeplessness once in a while. However, if you are unable to sleep for extended periods, and if this is followed by other signs of depression, then it has to be taken seriously.

2. Excessive sleeping
While some people find themselves unable to sleep because of depression, others find themselves sleeping excessively. They skip their everyday morning routine because of excessive sleep and feel tired even after sleeping adequately.

3. Feeling of helplessness
Feeling helpless is one of the top early warning signs of depression. If you are depressed, you may feel hopeless. Constantly feeling that nothing is going to work out will keep you mentally tired. Most people start getting help for depression because of this sign.

4. Weight loss/appetite loss
If you are suddenly not able to eat normal quantities of food that you used to eat earlier, or if you don’t feel hungry at all, then this could be a sign of depression. Some people also experience weight loss because of this mental state.

5. Loss of energy
A sudden drop in energy is one of the early warning signs of depression. Feeling fatigued, restless, and tired for no reason and not wanting to get up from the bed in the morning are all signs of something being wrong with your mental state.

6. Recklessness
People who are otherwise careful with their words and actions sometimes turn reckless because of depression. Actions like substance abuse, driving dangerously, and participating in extremely dangerous activities may become normal to them.

7. Self-loathing
The feeling of not being worthy is one of the telltale signs of depression . If you feel this way and realize that the feeling is making you doubt yourself every step of the way, then the root cause for this feeling has to be analyzed.

8. Body pain
Your mental health affects your physical state. Constant body aches that you are unable to find a reason for can be related to your mental health. Depression leads to physical aches that can be cured only when you treat the root problem.

It is important to look at all these early warning signs of depression and identify them as early as you can. Treating depression can include a mix of psychotherapy, drugs, and lifestyle changes.