Sleep patterns may change and the individual will describe nights spent staring at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep or otherwise going to sleep easily enough but waking up after only a few hours. The person feels worthless and guilty about the most unlikely and minor actions. The illness interferes with work, and the person goes to work late, leaves early, or on some days does not go to work at all. They cannot concentrate on work or play. Grooming standards fall and clothes may be stained, creased and unmatched.
Some people become agitated and anxious when they are depressed.
They go from task to task without getting anything done. People who have had recent losses such as new widows, recent divorcees, people with serious financial problems or addictions to gambling, alcohol or drugs. In addition, post-traumatic stress disorder is now widely recognized among Vietnam veterans, but many men who fought in the Second World War or Korea carry around distressing memories as well. When they came home from the war, however, our society expected them to cope and to adapt as well as they could. Many years later, the emotions and feelings that they had buried, come back to haunt them.