Exploring the Different Depression Symptoms
Depression is not just only a negative state of mind, but is also a grave illness that is marked by acute feelings of despair and worthlessness, two major depression symptoms. In reality, depression is far beyond those feelings of sadness and hopelessness, as it encompasses several strange changes in one’s physical, emotional, and mental health. This is the reason why one must seek immediate medical help or treatment. However, to determine whether one is suffering from depression or not, it is very important to know the various depression symptoms.
Depression is certainly a serious state, which can adversely affect the way of thinking, feeling, and behaving. In short, it can ruin one’s way of living life. This is why one must know at least the common as well as major depression symptoms to save someone’s life. In this article, we will go through the various symptoms of depression according to some of its types and gender. However, let’s first take a look at the common symptoms of depression.
Common Depression Symptoms
In general, most people suffering from depression always show some common symptoms on a regular basis that are listed below.
- Feeling of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness
- Irritability even in case of small matters
- Angry bursts
- Guilt feeling
- Pessimism
- Sudden diminished interest in all tasks
- Feeling of isolation even while being amidst people
- Unexplained emotional traits such as crying without any reason
- Negative attitude in all situations
- Indecisiveness
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Forgetting things
- Fatigue
- Insomnia or too much sleeping
- Early-morning sleeplessness
- Restlessness
- Loss in appetite or overeating
- Loss in weight or weight gain
- Digestive problems that do not go away despite treatment
- Persistent pain in form of back pain, cramps, and headaches
- Persistent empty feelings and unusual anxiety level
- Reckless behavior or escapist behavior such as illicit relationships, dangerous ports, and substance abuse
- Thoughts of suicide
Apart from these, there are some severe depression symptoms that are noticeable in case the depression has taken a serious form.
Severe Depression Symptoms
The above symptoms are common to be found, but there are some severe depression symptoms that convert your doubt into conviction that the concerned person is suffering from depression. Listed below are some of the severe signs of depression.
- Thoughts or Attempts of Suicide: This is the most dangerous symptom of depression. According to the reports, in the U.S., a person attempts to suicide every 20 minutes and for majority of them, depression is the sole reason. So, if a person is repeatedly talking about death or suicide, then get instant help for her/him by talking to a doctor.
- Development of Insomnia: Did you know that depression is the chief cause of insomnia? In insomnia, an individual finds it difficult to sleep or stay asleep. In fact, there are cases where patients have not slept for days or a week, which has resulted in severe mental impairment.
- Eating Disorders: Again, depression is the main culprit for loss of appetite, overeating, and other disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. These disorders do not allow the body to absorb the desired nutrients adequately.
- Too Much Stress: Lack of proper sleep and nutrition obviously will lead to much stress, which in turn, worsens the condition of depression.
Two most affecting types of depression are major depression and chronic depression. Let’s check out the symptoms of these two.
Major and Chronic Depression Symptoms
Listed below are the major depression symptoms that must last for at least 2 weeks.
- Chronic fatigue and lethargy that makes one feel exhausted all the time despite having refreshments
- Not sleeping at all or sleeping most of the time
- Overeating or no eating such that it results in a 5% change in weight a month
- Self-destructive behavior such as attacking oneself or others (cutting on areas of the body, recurrent suicidal attempts, and drug abuse for weeks and months)
- Extreme agitation, irritability, and restlessness making the person to lash out at friends and relatives
- No concentration or clear thinking
- Withdrawal from enjoyable activities
- Feeling such as nothing will get better
- Indulgence in illicit relationships and gambling
Listed below are the unique chronic depression symptoms that co-exist with the common depression symptoms.
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Irritability
Nowadays, there is one more common form of depression known as seasonal depression that is commonly seen in winter season. Let’s now check out its symptoms.
Seasonal Depression Symptoms
Listed below are the various seasonal depression symptoms during winter.
- Anxiety
- Heavy feeling in the legs and arms
- Loss of interest
- Wight gain
- Social withdrawal
- Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
- Difficulty concentrating
- Oversleeping
Talking about the depression symptoms gender wise, it is a fact the number of women who suffer from depression is twice than that of men. This is mainly attributed to the hormonal changes a woman undergoes during the different phases of her life. So, let’s check out the depression symptoms in women.
Depression Symptoms in Women
Listed below are the various depression symptoms in women.
- Lack of energy
- Lack of proper sleep
- Overwhelming guilt
- Low mood
- Feelings of being worthless and hopeless
- No pleasure from activities that they once enjoyed
- Suicidal thoughts
- Excessive appetite or too less appetite
- Difficulty concentrating
- Crying unnecessarily
As compared to women who show more of emotional symptoms, men tend to show more symptoms of irritation, anger, and agitation. Based on these depression symptoms, your doctor can decide the appropriate treatment.
