Depression is common amongst acne sufferers. How do you know if you or someone you care about is suffering from depression and needing help?

Look out for the following signs:

• Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood.
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex.
• Feelings of hopelessness and pessimism.
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, self reproach.
• Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping.
• Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain.
• Decreased energy, fatigue and feeling run down.
• Increase use of alcohol and drugs.
• Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts.
• Restlessness, irritability and/or hostility.
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions.
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders and chronic pain.
• Deterioration of social relationships.

Adolescents can also display the following symptoms:

• declining school performance
• extreme behaviour and mood change (persistent depression)
• being snappy and easily annoyed
• risk-taking behaviour
• drug or alcohol use
• social withdrawal (avoiding friends or retreating to the bedroom)
• a break in a key relationship

Read more:
Could you be depressed?
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