Well, I've kind of got a list of things that indicate it for myself. People might have slightly different things, but there's probably a lot of signs in common. It's good to be aware of one's own indicators. Written down.

Just a small selection... not getting anything done, not bothering to get dressed or shower (yuck, but true!), waking up with dread of facing another day and not wanting to get out of bed at all, a lot of staring into space, can't focus, can't respond... Basically, when I turn into a staring zombie, get really down on myself (as in "I can't do anything right!"). For me, it may or may not include crying and such. Usually not. I just go dead and leaden. I don't freak out or anything if this happens for a bit, but when it starts to go on, that's when I start to "count" it so to speak.

For me, anxiety also tends to increase... afraid of everything, random anxiety attacks, afraid to leave the house, talk to anyone etc

(As a bit of an aside... I've always been astounded at the DSM list. That's all?! For only two weeks?! I would seriously barely notice hitting the criteria, but maybe it's from having been in much much worse states and for much much longer, that it seems so... wimpy(!) Like... the tip of the iceberg... (I was undiagnosed for a very very long time despite huge indications, so was totally unaware a list even existed. When I finally saw it, it was shockingly pale to 25 years or so of experience, you know?! )

When it becomes more than indications, there's a whole bunch of others...