What Are the Signs of Depression?   

“There was a time I wanted to live, but now this life doesn’t feel worth living”.

Depression is the word that describes this feeling of worthlessness and hopelessness.

But how do you know if these feelings point towards depression?

Major depressive disorder, commonly known as depression, is a whole lot more than just day-to-day disappointment. It interferes with your social, individual and work life. 

So, what are the signs of depression? It is important to know so that you can differentiate it from routine sadness and take effective measures if needed. That is why, at Saalvio, we address every mental health issue with ultimate professionalism. Let’s take a detailed look at the clinical picture of depression.

Understanding of What Depression Is

We all experience feelings of sadness and hopelessness in response to the setbacks in life. And that is a completely human response. But things get worse when these emotions persist to the extent that they start affecting your daily life. And this is what depression is. According to WHO;

“A common mental disorder characterized by a depressed mood or loss of pleasure or interest in activities for long periods of time, affecting nearly 3.8% of the global population”.

Depression affects the way you feel, think or behave. In short, it manifests in your whole life, whether it be emotional or physical, individual or social. But don’t be hopeless. There is definitely a way out.

What Are Some Signs of Depression?

Depression isn’t one-size-fits-all. Its signs may vary with individuals, age or gender. But there are some common signs and symptoms generally presented by the majority of patients; 

• Feelings of sadness, emptiness or hopelessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in normal life activities( past hobbies, social activities and sexual drive)
• Sleep disturbances( insomnia or oversleeping)
• Generalized fatigue and lack of energy( even small tasks take time)
• Appetite changes( decreased appetite leading to weight loss or too much eating causing weight gain)
• Anxiety, irritability and angry outbursts
• Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
• Feelings of excessive guilt or low self-worth
• Difficulty in focusing, making decisions and remembering things
• Frequent thoughts of death or suicidal thoughts
• Unexplained physical problems (headache, backache, or muscle ache)

According to DSM-5 criteria for depression diagnosis, if any 5 of these symptoms (not attributed to any other medical condition) last most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, we diagnose the condition as major depressive disorder.

What Are the Early Signs of Depression? 

Depression is responsible for 39% of the global suicides reported by the WHO. Early diagnosis and timely treatment can save a lot of precious lives. Here are some warning signs of depression that you must pay attention to;

• Persistent sadness or emptiness
• Becoming hopeless 
• Feelings of guilt and worthlessness over past mistakes and decisions
• Getting irritated or angry over small matters
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy

Signs of depression in children

Research shows that depression affects children even more severely than adolescents. In addition to the above-mentioned signs, children can experience;

• Extreme irritation
• Getting clingy or grumpy. 
• marked changes in weight 
• Sleep problems
• Loss of interest in studies or friends 

Experiencing Depression Warning Signs; Now What To Do?

If you notice these signs of depression, it’s a good time to consult a mental health expert. They can thoroughly assess your symptoms, make a sure diagnosis about the type of depression you are suffering from and plan further treatment accordingly.

Or you can just visit Saalvio and book an appointment with our licensed therapists from the comfort of your home. Here you can benefit from evidence-based psychotherapy services (one-on-one audio or video sessions) and effective self-care strategies.

The Bottom Line

It is hard to walk through depression, but remember many have successfully fought it. Better awareness and effective management can make a lot of difference.