14 common symptoms of depression: What to know

Key takeaways

Depression is more than just feeling sad; it is a medical condition that can cause symptoms like hopelessness, irritability, a loss of interest in activities, tiredness, appetite changes, and thoughts of death or suicide.

If a person is experiencing multiple depression symptoms, it is important to seek help from a doctor, who can evaluate the person’s symptoms and medical history, and use screening tools to make a diagnosis.

Treatment

options like therapy

, medication, and lifestyle changes such as exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management techniques can help manage depression symptoms and improve your quality of life. Depression can affect people differently, and the symptoms can vary from person to person.

Keep reading to learn more about the common symptoms of depression, as well as the treatment options and when to seek help. Depression is a medical condition that affects about 280 million people globally.

It is also called clinical depression or major depressive disorder. There are several types of depression, and the symptoms vary among individuals.

Although anyone can experience some of these symptoms from time to time, a doctor will only diagnose depression when a certain cluster of symptoms appears and persist for 2 weeks or longer. 1.

Feeling sad or empty Mood changes are one of the most common symptoms of depression. A person who has depression may feel sad or low for extended periods.

They may also say they feel “empty” or unable to feel happiness. Some people may describe this feeling as despair or melancholy. 2.

Feeling hopeless or helpless Depression can make people feel hopeless because there is no foreseeable end to how they are feeling. A person may also feel helpless.

They may say or think that no one can help them get better and that they will always feel depressed. 3. Feeling worthless A person with depression may feel as though they are worthless or their life has no meaning.

They may also believe they are a burden to others and that the world or their family is better off without them. If a person has these feelings alongside suicidal thoughts, they should seek emergency help.

Help is out there If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support: Call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.

Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7. Not in the United States?

Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide. Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives. 4. Feeling excessively guilty Guilt is a normal reaction after a person says or does something that they regret, but people with depression may have ongoing feelings of guilt for no reason.

They may focus a lot of energy on this guilt and feel bad about themselves and things they have said or done — even events that have long since passed. 5. No interest or pleasure in activities Some people with depression lose interest in things or activities that they used to enjoy.

These include sports, hobbies, going out with friends, music, or sexual activity.

They may turn down offers to do activities or be with others, and they may not want to do things they used to like doing. This inability to feel pleasure during previously pleasurable activities is also known as anhedonia. 6.

Anger and irritability A person with depression may seem to be angry with others. They may become easily annoyed and irritated.

The National Institute of Mental Healthstates that people with depression may express symptoms differently. Instead of sadness, people may seem angry or irritable.

Children and adolescents are more likelyto display depression through anger, irritability, and tantrums. Other depression symptoms can indirectly cause irritability.

For example, if a person is not sleeping well and feels tired, they may be more prone to irritability. 7.

Feeling tired and having a lack of energy Some people with depression may find it hard to get up in the morning because they feel exhausted and run down. They may feel too fatigued to do everyday tasks, such as going to work and cooking meals.

As a result, they may spend a lot of time at home resting or sleeping.

The fatigue of depression can make a person feel as though they are always tired, even if they are getting enough sleep. However, sleep disturbances are also a symptom of depression, and a person who experiences these can feel even more tired. 8.

Insomnia or lack of sleep Sleep disturbances are a primary symptom of depression, and researchhas found that insomnia is an independent risk factor for developing depression. A person with depression may be unable to sleep well and have trouble falling and staying asleep.

They may stay up very late at night or wake up very early in the morning. 9. Difficulty concentrating, remembering, and making decisions Depression can interfere with a person’s cognitive abilities.

They may have trouble focusing or concentrating on personal or professional matters. They may also find it difficult to make decisions, even those involving seemingly minor, everyday choices.

People with depression may also find that they cannot remember things as well as they did previously. They might forget appointments or commitments and not recall things they said or did recently. 10.

Lack of appetite People with depression may lose their desire and appetite for food, which can cause weight loss. They may have little interest in eating and go for long periods without food. 11.

Overeating and weight gain However, some people with depression may eat more than usual. For some individuals, food can be a comfort mechanism for negative feelings and a way to deal with boredom or loneliness.

Depression can make it difficult for people to feel motivated to get outside or exercise. Combined with an increase in food intake, this can cause weight gain.

Learn more about depression and weight changes. 12. Aches, pains, and physical symptoms A person with depression may experience persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment.

These include: headaches digestive disorders unexplained aches and pains Learn more about how depression can affect the body. 13.

Trouble ‘switching off’ the brain People with depression may have persistent negative thoughts that they find hard to stop. They may find it difficult to control their worry. 14.

Thoughts of death or suicide A person with depression may think more about death and dying. They may also think about suicide and how they could end their life.

The term for this is suicidal ideation. A person may sometimes tell others about these thoughts.

If someone is talking about death or suicide, this could be their way of asking for help, and it is vital to seek assistance right away. Depression is a common but serious condition that can be life threatening.

Not every person who thinks about suicide will attempt it.

However, if someone mentions suicide, it is important either to contact a doctor or to help the person seek urgent medical care.

Diagnosis

Having just one of the symptoms above does not mean that a person has depression. For instance, other health issues and some medications can cause unintentional weight gain or insomnia.

However, people who have multiple symptoms and are concerned about depression should contact a doctor to discuss their mental health.

There is no single test for diagnosing depression. A medical professional usually evaluates a person’s symptoms and personal and family medical history to make a diagnosis.

They may also use specialized questionnaires and screening tools.

Treatment

The following outlines some treatment options for depression. Therapy and medications Many people with depression use therapy, medication, or both to manage the symptoms.

It is important to go to scheduled appointments and take medications as the doctor prescribes them.

Treatment

can take time

, and a person may not feel better straight away. Antidepressants can take about 4 to 8 weeksto work, and psychotherapy is an effective but long-term treatment that does not provide immediate symptom relief.

Learn more about the mental health resources available. Lifestyle suggestions Some people with depression find that the following measures can help them manage their symptoms: exercising eating a healthy and balanced diet spending time with supportive friends or loved ones avoiding alcohol and illegal drugs trying stress management techniques meditation breaking significant tasks down into smaller ones ### How to help those with depression

If a friend or loved one is showing symptoms of depression, a person can help by: asking them to contact a doctor helping them make an appointment offering support, understanding, and validation continuing to invite them to events and outings reducing stressors at home or work, where possible helping them eat nutritious meals spending time with them outdoors

Learn more about ### how to help a partner with depression.

When to contact a doctor

If a person suspects that they may have depression, they should contact a doctor.

Effective treatment can manage the symptoms and prevent them from getting worse.

Resources are also available to help people

find medical care for mental health conditions. These include: National Institute of Mental HealthSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration People can also contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

Those who feel more comfortable communicating online or do not have access to a phone can use the online chat feature instead.

Summary

Depression is a treatable mental health condition that can cause a range of symptoms. Anyone who is concerned that they or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of depression should speak with a doctor as soon as possible.

Proper care for depression can significantly improve quality of life and even be lifesaving.