Residents With Depression Depression is often unrecognized by staff, because it can be masked by other physical and mental illnesses. Many times, the presence of depression interferes with the effective treatment of these illnesses. Caregivers can begin to assess if residents are suffering from depression by looking at the residents' behaviors, to see if they reflect the following symptoms: expression of feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or inability to improve the situation frequent crying persistently sad or anxious; feelings of pessimism loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities; poor personal hygiene easily fatigued; decreased energy loss of appetite; significant weight loss; sometimes increase in appetite difficulty in concentrating; inability to make decisions sleep problems such as inability to fall asleep, or early awakening irritability and anger suicidal thoughts, statements, attempts recurrent aches and pains that are not responsive to treatment