What are the early symptoms of depression?

Early symptoms of depression mainly include the following aspects:

1. Depressed mood: Patients often experience persistent low mood, loss of interest in daily activities, may feel listless, and show indifference to family and friends' care, even toward things they previously enjoyed.

2. Sleep disturbances: Difficulties falling asleep, early morning awakening, or excessive sleeping may occur. Long-term sleep problems can further worsen the patient's emotional condition, creating a vicious cycle.

3. Changes in appetite and weight: Some patients may experience reduced appetite and weight loss, while others may have increased appetite leading to weight gain. These changes are closely related to the patient's emotional state.

4. Fatigue and lack of energy: Patients often feel fatigued and lack energy. Even after adequate rest, they may find it difficult to recover, often feeling physically heavy, sluggish in movement, and even unable to complete daily tasks.

5. Decreased attention and memory: Attention and memory may also be affected in the early stages of depression. Patients may have difficulty concentrating and experience memory decline, leading to reduced efficiency in work and study.

6. Social difficulties: Due to negative emotions, patients may be unwilling to communicate with others, or may fear social interaction due to feelings of inferiority, resulting in withdrawal and possibly distancing themselves from family and friends, avoiding making new friends.

Therefore, if these symptoms appear, timely medical attention should be sought.