The 9 Tell-Tale Signs of Depression

People who may be suffering from depression can show many different symptoms.

Sometimes it can be very easy to overlook these symptoms and thus make it hard to help yourself or others who are suffering from depression.

Here Are Some Common Examples Of Symptoms Of Depression:

1. Prolonged Period of Sadness Or Not Feeling "Up To It" 

People who are always feeling “not in the mood”, who’d rather mope around the house and feel sorry for themselves could be depressed.

2. Wanting Or Planning to Take One’s Life:

If you or a loved one feels suicidal, talking about death as something they long for, talking about wanting to die, especially if you or your loved one already decided on how to do so, it is time to immediately call for help – or, if urgent, take yourself or your loved one to the nearest emergency room and let the triage nurse know what is happening.

3. Feeling Hopeless, “Perennial Pessimist”:

This means feeling sorry for oneself, another common symptom of depression. It happens when a person actually feels like he/she has nothing to look forward to in his or her life.   “Perennial pessimists” are usually always very negative about things, and they may feel as if they are the victim of circumstances that other people are to blame for.

4. Guilt-Driven, Feeling Worthless and Helpless

Guilt, feelings of worthlessness and helplessness are other symptoms that can be seen in depressed people. Whenever a person feels very guilty about an event in the past that may or may not have been their fault, he or she may feel like they don’t deserve to be happy.

Thus, if that person feels like he or she isn’t worthy of being happy or enjoying themselves, they could be depressed.

Helplessness also can contribute to depression. If someone feels trapped in a situation and helpless to get out of it, this often can make them feel stressed, sad and depressed.

5. Loss of Interest or Pleasure

If someone is just dropping their hobbies or other things that they used to enjoy, and they feel unable to find anything that can bring them enjoyment or pleasure, this can be one of the tell-tale symptoms of depression.

This can also be due to a lack of meaning in life generally, as Viktor E. Frankl described in his book: ”Man’s Search for Meaning”

6. Fatigue, Always Tired:

Most people who suffer from depression also lack physical energy and feel constantly tired or fatigued. No wonder, they’ve lost whatever interest in life that they may have had before. And their sleep may be disrupted as may be their eating habits.

7. Trouble Concentrating, Bad Memory, Being Indecisive:

Most person suffering from depression show these tell-tale symptoms of depression. This is related to the loss of interest in the outside world or anything else that may matter to healthy people. They may lose track of things like dates, appointments, taking medications, even having a shower and actually not be able to remember events that happened, or what other people said. They may also seem to just not paying attention and just can't make a decision about anything. Many "Procrastinators" could actually be depressed... 

8. Changes In Eating Patterns or Excess Substance Use

Losing all interest in food - appetite loss - as well, for others, eating too much, especially junk food, may show one’s lack of enthusiasm for life. And actual physiological changes in brain neurotransmitters that we try to correct with food or other substances like alcohol, marihuana, coffee, medications or others.  Pay attention to sudden weight loss or weight gain in those around you and try to help them to figure out what may be going on.

9. Changes In Sleeping Patterns:

Depression can cause people to sleep too little, too much or waking up early in the morning, especially if it happens not just once.

Find out what’s going on and may be causing the sleep issues.

Sometimes it can help to start with easy things like those I mention in my Tip-Sheet: https://cchcfiles.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/DRC_Top+10+Sleep+Hacks.pdf

Other possible symptoms:

• Being restless and irritable
• Physical symptoms without clear cause – chronic headaches, digestive disorders and various body pains.

When do you as the affected individual or as a friend or family member need to take action?

If you or a loved one has one of the other symptoms above, especially for more than 2 weeks, and certainly if it impairs your or your loved one’s function significantly (unable to work or do things that are necessary for life – shower, clean the house, etc), it is time to seek help.

Where to find help:

• Family doctor
• Psychologist or Psychiatrist
• Local Suicide Hotline
• A specialized Mental Health Coach like DocChristine