Common Signs of Depression
Depression is a serious mental health condition that causes feelings of despair, hopelessness, apathy, and helplessness. The condition can be temporary or chronic. For many, depression results from major life changes, grief or loss, physical illness, or personal setbacks or disappointments. But for some, it’s considered a chronic, treatable medical condition.
Depression can affect your daily functioning and activities. For example, it can hinder your ability to sleep, eat, work, attend class, study, or connect with your friends and family. If left untreated, the condition worsens. Fortunately, there are signs that signal when sadness is more than just a normal mood, along with treatments available to help. Below are some of the most common symptoms of depression.
Feeling Hopeless, Helpless, and Irritable
Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness are the most common signs of depression. They may be associated with a bleak outlook, sadness, self-loathing, and feelings of worthlessness.
Irritability isn’t always seen in depression but it can be presented as feeling agitated, angry, and sometimes aggressive. In general, depression can cause people to develop reduced patience and short tempers. This irritability may also be accompanied by reckless, compulsive, or escapist behaviour, such as substance abuse. Luckily, depression treatment is designed to address these challenging feelings and behaviours.
Changes in Weight or Appetite
Depression may cause a loss of interest in ‘normal’ things, including food. For some, eating may become non-pleasurable due to feelings of disinterest. On the other hand, some depressed individuals use food as a source of comfort or coping mechanism. These appetite changes can cause significant weight gain or weight loss.
Losing Interest in Activities
Losing interest in daily or normal activities is a key sign of depression. A depressed person may especially cease to partake in activities they once considered fun or pleasurable. For example, they may stop engaging in social events, hobbies, or sex. Regular hygiene habits may also be neglected or reduced during depression. This often results from feelings of listlessness.
Interruptions in Sleep Patterns
Depression can also lead to insomnia. It’s a symptom that works like a double-edged sword: in many cases, depression causes insomnia, and insomnia also increases depressed feelings. Depression can also cause sleep disturbances, resulting in strange dreams and an inability to stay asleep or go back to sleep. People with depression may also experience early waking or oversleeping. Additionally, performing tasks or activities may cause feelings of fatigue or heaviness. These feelings can make it harder or more time-consuming to complete tasks.
Try scoring yourself by completing the Depression Quiz below:
PHQ – 9
Little interest or pleasure in doing things
Not at all
Several days
At least half of the days
Nearly every day
Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
Not at all
Several days
At least half of the days
Nearly every day
Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
Not at all
Several days
At least half of the days
Nearly every day
Feeling tired or having little energy
Not at all
Several days
At least half of the days
Nearly every day
Feeling bad about yourself - or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down
Not at all
Several days
At least half of the days
Nearly every day
Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television
Not at all
Several days
At least half of the days
Nearly every day
Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed? Or the opposite - being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving around a lot more than usual
Not at all
Several days
At least half of the days
Nearly every day
Thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way
Not at all
Several days
At least half of the days
Nearly every day
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If you can identify with some of the signs and symptoms mentioned here, help is a phone call away. Contact us today.