Depression is a mental health condition that’s often misunderstood.
If you have depression, you may feel despair that prevents you from enjoying activities you once liked, have trouble sleeping, or find it hard to make decisions. You can also experience physical symptoms like fatigue.
Even though more than
If you’re feeling down, knowing the common signs and effect of depression can help you figure out if you’re experiencing something more than a brief case of the blues.
If you’ve been having symptoms like low mood, loss of interest, and sleep issues for most of the day for more than 2 weeks, you may be dealing with depression.
While two people diagnosed with the same type of depression won’t have exactly the same symptoms, there are several depression symptoms that are common.
1. PERSISTENT LOW MOOD
Many of us feel down from time to time, but when this feeling just won’t go away, it may mean you’re experiencing depression.
You might feel like you’re continually out of sorts. It’s also common for anxiety symptoms to occur alongside depression, as well as feelings of impending doom or danger.
Sometimes, people with depression describe themselves as feeling numb or what we call “flatlined.” They may have difficulty mustering up an emotional response to things that happen to them whether good or bad.
2. LOSS OF INTEREST OR PLEASURE IN THINGS YOU ONCE ENJOYED
Maybe you love watching movies, singing or hanging up with friends. But if you have depression, these things might not appeal to you suddenly. You may find it challenging to put up the energy to do them, or just don’t have the desire.
“What’s the point?” and “Why bother?” are phrases you might say to describe your mood during moments like that, even with work, social activities, and even simple household chores may seem pointless to you.
3. FEELINGS OF GUILT, HOPELESSNESS, OR WORTHLESS
Many people with depression can feel overwhelming guilt about past actions or events, or even feel guilty about being depressed.
You might also experience low self-esteem and self-loathing. You may also feel hopeless like there’s nothing you can do to feel better, and you are good for nothing. Sometimes we take it that it is normal but is not if it persists for a week or two.
4. DECREASED ENERGY, FATIQUE, OR FEELING SLOWED DOWN
Most people think of the mental and emotional symptoms of depression, but it can cause physical symptoms, too. These physical symptoms often mimic other health conditions.
Many people may experience low energy and fatigue. It can be a “bone tired” feeling that just won’t go away despite getting enough sleep.
If you’re depressed, you might also feel like everything is happening in slow motion, yet you still can’t keep up because of overwhelming mental and physical exhaustion.
If you experience catatonia with depression, you may feel stuck or in a perpetual state of being “paused” that can alarm those around you.
Catatonia is a complex neuropsychiatric behavioral syndrome that is characterized by abnormal movements, immobility, abnormal behaviors, and withdrawal. The onset of catatonia can be acute or subtle and symptoms can wax, wane, or change during episodes. It has historically been related to schizophrenia (catatonic schizophrenia); catatonia is most often seen in mood disorders.
5. SUICIDAL THOUGHTS OR ATTEMPTS
If you’re depressed, you may start to have thoughts about not wanting to be alive anymore. This is a serious symptom that means it’s time to seek help.
Suicidal ideation is when someone ruminates on ending their life. This might look like drawing or writing about suicide, closing social media accounts in one sitting, or giving away keepsake photos or rainy-day funds.
If you notice signs of suicide risk, you can contact a hotline for support day or night. At this point don't wait any longer. Seek help immediately. Open up to people who care about you or seek a professional help from therapists.
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