<p>
	It&#39;s completely normal to experience fluctuations in your mood, but it&#39;s still wise to keep track of the way you&#39;re feeling to make sure you can assess whether you&#39;re tipping over into depression.</p>
<p>
	Depression is a very real illness and needs to be treated accordingly. If you notice any of the following symptoms hanging around for more than two weeks, you should think about seeking help. Of course this list isn&#39;t exclusive, but it will give you a good idea of what to keep an eye on.</p>
<p>
	Negative feelings</p>
<p>
	You might start to notice everything just bothers you more than usual. If you find yourself getting annoyed at things more quickly than normal, or if friends and family remark on your &#39;grumpiness&#39; it could be a warning sign.</p>
<p>
	Similarly, internal problems could start to get the better of you, too. Feeling hopeless and worthless are signs of depression, as is being unable to see the positive in things and feeling like nothing will work out. Breaking down in tears without a significant trigger is also something to watch out for.</p>
<p>
	Feeling lethargic</p>
<p>
	If you suddenly start to lose interest in your hobbies or socialising, it could be a sign you&#39;re suffering from depression. You could find this lethargy seeping into the physical, manifesting itself in not being able to get up in the morning. You might also find it hard to keep on top of work or your studies and feel extremely tired throughout the day.</p>
<p>
	Uncharacteristic behaviour</p>
<p>
	If you notice any significant changes in your daily routine, make a note. Eating and sleeping much more or less than normal could be a sign of depression.</p>
<p>
	Similarly, suddenly acting in a reckless manner could be a concern. If you find yourself drawn to excessive drinking, drug taking and are putting yourself in dangerous situations all of a sudden, it&#39;s time to get help.</p>
<p>
	Destructive thoughts</p>
<p>
	We&#39;re all human and we all make mistakes. While it&#39;s normal to dwell on things you&#39;ve done &#39;wrong&#39; every now and again, watch out for these feelings of guilt taking over. Especially if they&#39;re eating into your day and causing you to lose concentration, it could be a sign of depression.</p>
<p>
	Suicidal thoughts also need to be taken very seriously. Of course most people have moments where they&#39;ve briefly thought, &#39;Oh god, I want to die,&#39; but seriously considering suicide as an option is a sign of depression and means you need to get professional help immediately.</p>
<p>
	Get help</p>
<p>
	If you think you might be depressed, it&#39;s essential to call on professional support. Make an appointment with your doctor and they can refer you to the best person for the help.</p>
<p>
	There are also things you can do to help yourself, such as staying on top of a healthy eating and sleeping routine as much as possible. Incorporate sport or calming activities such as yoga or meditation into your day to aid you in feeling centred. And don&#39;t shy away from others - your friends and family are there to support you in beating this illness.</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.sundayworld.com/lifestyle/health/fight-back-against-depression">http://www.sundayworld.com/lifestyle/health/fight-back-against-depression</a></p>
