What are the signs for depression?

Hello Anon

Thank you for writing!

It's good you are looking out for your mother. Family members and close friends are often the people who see changes in the elderly.

Certainly appetite changes could be due to depression but they could also be due to aging, slowing down, medications, lack of activity, undiagnosed illnesses and other factors.

There are many, many signs of depression. Some people have one or two, some have many. Symptoms include lack of appetite (your mom) or over-eating, sleeping a lot or too little or not wanting to get out of bed to face the day on a regular basis. Disinterest in usual hobbies or interests, lack of socialization, fear, anxiety. Some people cry or expresses sadness a lot, others feel a dull sense of emotional pain or numbness. An inability to work or parent effectively can also be a sign. Some people self-medicate with drugs or alcohol.

Talking to a doctor or mental health professional can help enormously. Medication or talk therapy or a combination of both is often key to recovery.

Best,
Susan