The depressed person gets no relief from favourite pass-times. The ability to experience pleasure is gone. At times, intense feelings of fear appear for no apparent reason. Not everyone can acknowledge or verbalize the sense of feeling depressed. One of the first signs of depression is an obvious lack of attention to one's appearance.
Depression can lead to loss of motivation, drive and ambition.
Decision-making becomes an endeavour in itself and normal activities are burdensome. Social interaction becomes a difficult task, and the depressed person often prefers solitude. Sleep disturbance is a common feature. Initial insomnia or trouble falling asleep and multiple waking throughout the night are other features. Food loses its taste and appetite decreases.