“What are the symptoms of depression?”
I've been feeling very down lately. Could I be depressed?
8 Answers
Councelor/TherapistPsychologist
Absolutely—here’s a response in your voice and tone, with the same clarity and steadiness you used in the first answer:
---
Feeling down from time to time is a normal part of being human, but depression is more than just a low mood. Some of the common symptoms of clinical depression include persistent sadness, loss of interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy, changes in appetite or sleep, low energy, difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and in some cases, thoughts of death or suicide. If you’ve been feeling low for more than two weeks and it’s starting to affect your daily life, it’s worth reaching out for support. Depression is treatable, and you're not alone in this.
---
Feeling down from time to time is a normal part of being human, but depression is more than just a low mood. Some of the common symptoms of clinical depression include persistent sadness, loss of interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy, changes in appetite or sleep, low energy, difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and in some cases, thoughts of death or suicide. If you’ve been feeling low for more than two weeks and it’s starting to affect your daily life, it’s worth reaching out for support. Depression is treatable, and you're not alone in this.
That’s a really brave question to ask. Here’s a simple way to understand the symptoms of depression:
What is depression?
Depression is more than just feeling sad. Everyone feels down sometimes, but depression is when those feelings last a long time and start to affect your everyday life.
Common symptoms of depression include:
• Feeling sad, empty, or hopeless most of the day
• Losing interest in things you used to enjoy (like hobbies, school, or time with friends)
• Feeling tired all the time, even after sleeping
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Eating a lot more or a lot less than usual
• Trouble focusing or making decisions
• Feeling worthless or guilty for no clear reason
• Thinking about death or not wanting to be alive
Not everyone has all of these.
Some people only have a few symptoms, and they can be mild or strong. What matters most is how it’s affecting your life.
Final Thought:
If you’ve been feeling down for more than two weeks, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor or therapist. You don’t have to figure this out alone. Help is available, and treatment can make a big difference. You can learn more or reach out to me at marioperezmd.com.
What is depression?
Depression is more than just feeling sad. Everyone feels down sometimes, but depression is when those feelings last a long time and start to affect your everyday life.
Common symptoms of depression include:
• Feeling sad, empty, or hopeless most of the day
• Losing interest in things you used to enjoy (like hobbies, school, or time with friends)
• Feeling tired all the time, even after sleeping
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Eating a lot more or a lot less than usual
• Trouble focusing or making decisions
• Feeling worthless or guilty for no clear reason
• Thinking about death or not wanting to be alive
Not everyone has all of these.
Some people only have a few symptoms, and they can be mild or strong. What matters most is how it’s affecting your life.
Final Thought:
If you’ve been feeling down for more than two weeks, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor or therapist. You don’t have to figure this out alone. Help is available, and treatment can make a big difference. You can learn more or reach out to me at marioperezmd.com.
There is a difference between sadness, a part of the human condition, and depression. How can you know whether you are experiencing depression?
Depression includes affective, vegetative, and cognitive symptoms.
Affective refers to emotions and people experiencing depression can feel sad, numb, irritable, or angry.
Vegetative symptoms relate to physical symptoms and for people with depression can include apathy and loss of interest in activities, having difficulty sleeping or sleeping too many hours, loss of appetite or overeating, fatigue, low energy level and low motivation, and sometimes feeling restless and agitated.
Cognitive symptoms relate to thinking, and can include hopeless thoughts, harsh self-criticism, and pessimistic thoughts.
It is not necessary to have every symptom to have depression.
It is important to know that there are medical conditions that have very similar symptoms. Other important considerations is that people who have depression often have other mental health disorders such as anxiety disorders. There is a saying, "Depression does not often travel alone."
For diagnosis, a good starting point is a primary care physician's office. As part of their evaluation, they should use a depression questionnaire called the PHQ-9 which is a screening measure used to detect people who are likely to have depression. A primary care physician can also evaluate your physical health to determine whether you have a medical condition that is causing your symptoms.
The best treatment for depression is a combination of psychotherapy and medication.
I hope this helps and wish you health.
ANYONE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS OR SUICIDAL THINKING IS URGED TO CALL 988 WHICH IS THE NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH HELPLINE.
Depression includes affective, vegetative, and cognitive symptoms.
Affective refers to emotions and people experiencing depression can feel sad, numb, irritable, or angry.
Vegetative symptoms relate to physical symptoms and for people with depression can include apathy and loss of interest in activities, having difficulty sleeping or sleeping too many hours, loss of appetite or overeating, fatigue, low energy level and low motivation, and sometimes feeling restless and agitated.
Cognitive symptoms relate to thinking, and can include hopeless thoughts, harsh self-criticism, and pessimistic thoughts.
It is not necessary to have every symptom to have depression.
It is important to know that there are medical conditions that have very similar symptoms. Other important considerations is that people who have depression often have other mental health disorders such as anxiety disorders. There is a saying, "Depression does not often travel alone."
For diagnosis, a good starting point is a primary care physician's office. As part of their evaluation, they should use a depression questionnaire called the PHQ-9 which is a screening measure used to detect people who are likely to have depression. A primary care physician can also evaluate your physical health to determine whether you have a medical condition that is causing your symptoms.
The best treatment for depression is a combination of psychotherapy and medication.
I hope this helps and wish you health.
ANYONE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS OR SUICIDAL THINKING IS URGED TO CALL 988 WHICH IS THE NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH HELPLINE.
Typically, depression has other symptoms, such as lack of energy and changes in appetite associated with feeling down. I would encourage you to talk with your doctor or a mental health professional in person! I hope you feel better!
That isn't an easy thing to hold --- depression *does* include mood dysregulation. Evaluating a full range of symptoms is a licensed provider's typical route for further consideration. I encourage connection to nature as often as possible. In a safe manner - note the way in which your body responds to the energetic field. This can regulate our entire physical being and can give the soul a rest. Feeling down, in any diagnostic capacity, is hard. Comfort from time out in nature can lift the spirit. This is my hope for you from the sacred wild. Jennifer Nestell, PhD, LCSW, LSCSW Dr. Jen's Website: Phoenix Rising <https://phoenixrising.sytes.net>
Feeling sad, tired, hopeless, losing interest in things, trouble sleeping or eating. If you have any further questions or need more clarity, please consult with a psychiatrist. If you`re in Texas, we welcome you to reach out to www.MidCitiesPsychiatry.com, we`re here to help you.
they may vary with each person
Some symptoms of depression can include low self esteem, sadness, loneliness, feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, low motivation, irritability, suicidal thoughts. An individual does not need to present with all identified symptoms, or may presentwith many such symptoms. Seeing a mental health professional to explore symptoms of why you are feeling "down", as well as exploring underlying issues to depression can assist in determining treatment needs to effectively target depressive symptoms.
