If you feel that you or your loved ones are down in the mouth, you should check out this article about Depression Symptoms. If you feel sad and empty for a couple of days, you might suffer from depression. Depression can lead to suicidal thoughts.

You should know if you are suffering from depression so that you can immediately start its treatment before reaching its worst condition. This article will help you find your solution to confirm if you are depressed or not. 

Depression Symptoms

1. Sleep Problem 

Changes in your sleep patterns or problems are the main depression symptom. A good night’s sleep is essential to a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle. However, people who are suffering from depression may sleep a lot, take naps in day time also, and still feel fatigued. 

People with depression symptoms may experience insomnia, which is a condition in which you wake up early in the morning, around 3 am or 4 am. In this condition, you’ll not be able to sleep again until 10 am. Depression symptoms may include restless nights or staying asleep.  

2. Changes in Appetite 

People with depression may overeat, but when you are severely depressed, you may start skipping your meals. Clinical depression can either reduce or increase one’s appetite. Significant weight loss or gain can therefore indicate an issue.

A person who is suffering from depression may end up losing weight because he is missing his meals. This situation may be because he doesn’t have the energy to get up in the morning, be irritated, or feel pain. 

3. Lack of Energy

You may feel like you don’t have enough energy to perform your daily activities and experience constant fatigue due to depression. People who are depressed frequently feel exhausted and lack power. Think about any changes in your energy level over time. 

You may need to consider depression if you’ve noticed that specific tasks take longer than they used to. For example, you’re exhausted when you get home each day. Additionally, it is typical for depressed people to have persistent fatigue without a logical cause. 

4. Aches and Pains

Your body and mind are interlinked with each other. Therefore, when you are struggling with mental health problems, you will also suffer from some physical issues. For example, in depression, due to poor sleep patterns and mood swings, you may suffer from headaches.

Although we frequently assume that depression is solely a mental illness, it can also take physical forms. For example, many people experience unexplained aches and pains. Other issues which occur in depression are chest tightness and stomach pain. 

Additionally, feeling of heaviness in the legs, aching muscles, and severe back pain are also depression symptoms. Therefore, don’t ignore these depression symptoms. Some people may experience hair loss and brittle fingernails due to hormonal changes connected with depression.

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5. Loss of Interest in Favorite Activities

The core symptom of depression is anhedonia, which refers to a loss of interest or pleasure in certain activities that usually bring joy to people. For example, you may lose interest in participating in activities you used to enjoy (gardening, playing tennis).

People often explain that they “don’t feel like it.” Lost interest extends beyond hobbies to work, chores, fitness, going out with friends, chit-chatting, dating, and participating in leisure activities. You may feel like you have lost your ability to feel happy or enjoy in this phase of depression. 

6. Anger or Irritability

Anger and irritability are the common depression symptoms found in most depressive people. Depression leads to overwhelming sadness. In this condition, you may want to shout at others and experience uncontrollable emotions. 

When it seems like the people around you need to walk on eggshells whenever you are mad, do not ignore this. Furthermore, those suffering from depression are more likely to experience worry and hopelessness. 

Tremors, excessive sweating, feeling agitated, and restlessness are also included in depression symptoms. Seek expert help if your agitation becomes worse. This symptom may signal that your medications need to be adjusted or that you would benefit from more rigorous talk therapy.

7. Feeling guilty 

Do you ruminate, repeating the same unpleasant thoughts? Do you feel worthless or guilty without any logical reason? Fret not! You are not alone here. Most people who are suffering from depression report these troubling thought patterns.

You may feel like your life will not improve, and you may blame yourself for every bad happening. You shouldn’t take it lightly; contact a professional therapist or doctor immediately. Depressive thoughts like these often react nicely to medication modifications. 

8. Concentration problems

Depressive people face concentration problems and feel like they are in a fog. You may experience memory loss like you misplace your things (keys). Felling difficulty in staying focused can affect your work, social, or school life. 

If you forget things daily and find it hard to remember, then it is one of the early depression symptoms you shouldn’t ignore. This situation can lead to a loss in productivity over time and should be handled by a healthcare provider.

Wrapping Up

If you or a friend exhibits any of these depression symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor or a therapist. Depression is a treatable mental disorder; therefore, have no fear if you think you’re struggling with depression. 

In 2017, roughly 163 million people (2% of the global population) suffered from significant depression. However, the percentage of people involved at one point in their life varies from 7% in Japan to 21% in France.