The 9 signs you need to know: Symptoms of depression

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We all feel down from time to time, but how do you know if you are depressed, or simply just feeling down?

Depression doesn’t always look the same for everyone, symptoms can be gradual, inconspicuous, and not have a “normal” pattern. Mild depression may present as hitting snooze more often because you find it difficult to get out of bed. You may find yourself choosing to stay home instead of go out with friends. People might comment on how you seem more impatient or irritable lately.

So what is depression, and how can we begin to recognize the symptoms? First let’s start with how the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or the DSM 5 defines it. Then in the next couple of blog posts, I will take some of the symptoms and describe how these symptoms may present gradually and subtly.

 

9 DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS

Someone who is experiencing depression (clinically known as major depressive episode) will have at least 5 out of the 9 symptoms for two weeks or more.

  1. A depressed mood most of the day, almost every day, and might be subjectively described or reported by others as sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness.
  2. Diminished interest or pleasure in all or almost all activities most of the day, nearly every day. Includes sexual desire.
  3. Significant weight loss when not dieting, or weight gain.
  4. Difficulty sleeping (insomnia), or excessive sleeping (hypersomnia) nearly every day.
  5. Psychomotor agitation or retardation (observable by others, not just subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down)
  6. Fatigue or loss of energy
  7. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day.
  8. Diminished ability to think, concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day.
  9. Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal thoughts without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.  

These symptoms will cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of life.

GETTING HELP

Depression is relentless and can be debilitating. If depression is left untreated, the average episode will last approximately 6 months to 2 years. Depression is very treatable! Here are a few ways to begin treatment if you or a loved one is experiencing depression.

  • Create a safe environment: Blaming, or dismissing a person who is feeling depressed will often only exacerbate the feelings they already have. Be present, listen, and have an open discussion in a non-judgmental way.
  • Listen for suicidal thoughts: If you or a loved one is considering harming himself or herself, immediate treatment is critical. Go to your nearest emergency room, contact a mental health provider, or contact National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255
  • See a mental health professional: This can be a psychiatrist to help prescribe medications if necessary, or therapist who has experience treating depression.
  • Find resources and support: There are several online resources like National Institutes of Mental Health and National Alliance on Mental Illness. There are support groups such as Depression Bipolar Support Alliance as well.

Over the next blog posts, I will discuss these symptoms more to help you identify the more subtle signs of depression.

Dustin Shultz, LMFT. I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, speaker, and adjunct faculty at Azusa Pacific University. I have experience working with teens, men, women, and couples, and have had success with people who are experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, sexuality, divorce, affairs, cutting, grief, shame, stress, and life transitions. I help people live more authentically and embrace life.