Behavioural characteristics

• Change in activity - depressed people have reduced amounts of energy resulting in fatigue, lethargy and high levels of inactivity. In some cases, depression can lead to the opposite effect, known as psychomotor agitation. Agitated individuals struggle to relax and may end up pacing up and down
• Change in eating and sleeping patterns - people may experience a change in appetites which may mean they eat more or less than usual and have signification weight changes (5%) either gaining or losing weight. Insomnia or excessive sleeping are characteristics of depression. Eating and sleeping behaviours are disrupted by depression.
• Social impairment - there can be reduced levels of social interaction with friends and relations