Understanding Depression Symptoms

What Are the First Signs of Depression?

The first signs of depression often occur gradually and may include persistent sadness, a loss of interest in hobbies and usual activities, trouble concentrating, and a lack of energy. 

Depression goes beyond just feeling sad from time to time. It can be very debilitating and can make daily functioning very challenging. Some people may turn to substance use to cope. 

Depression may occur alongside other mental health disorders such as anxiety disorders or bipolar disorder. 

Some additional first signs of depression may include:

• Feeling tired but still sleeping too much 
• Trouble making decisions 
• Feeling restless or irritable
• Persistent low mood 
• A change in eating habits
• Weight gain or weight loss
• Feelings of worthlessness 
• Headaches
• Thoughts of death
• Low self-esteem 

What Are 5 Symptoms of Depression?

Five symptoms of depression include a persistently low mood, fatigue or low energy, loss of interest in usual activities, changes in sleep or appetite, and trouble concentrating.

How Do I Know If I Have Depression?

Speaking with a mental health professional is the best way to determine if you have depression. 

However, you can also consider your symptoms and other factors, including how long you’ve been feeling this way, whether you’ve ever been diagnosed with any other mental health disorders, and whether your depressed mood is tied to difficult life circumstances. 

Emotional Symptoms of Depression

How Does Depression Affect Your Mood?

Depression is tied to a persistent low mood and can also involve hopelessness, emotional numbness, irritability, and feelings of worthlessness. 

Someone struggling with depression may also withdraw from their family and friends, have difficulty keeping up at work or school, and struggle to stay motivated to complete daily tasks. 

How Do Hopelessness and Worthlessness Affect Mental Health

Hopelessness and worthlessness are common symptoms of depression and can make it very difficult to complete daily tasks. 

Someone struggling with these symptoms may also battle with low self-esteem, substance use disorders, and consistently feeling down. These feelings can place a strain on relationships, lead to negative thought patterns, and make it difficult to perform at work or school. 

Can Depression Cause Irritability?

Yes, depression can cause irritability, as well as other similar symptoms like anger, impatience, and frustration. 

All of these symptoms can have an effect on relationships with friends, family, and coworkers. 

Some additional ways depression irritability can affect daily life may include:

• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Avoiding social situations
• Feeling restless
• Experiencing frequent mood swings or emotional outbursts
• Feeling guilt over lashing out at loved ones

Physical Symptoms of Depression

Can Depression Cause Physical Symptoms?

While depression is often most known for its effect on mental health, it can be associated with physical symptoms as well. 

What Are the Physical Symptoms of Depression?

Depression can have an impact on many different aspects of physical health, from sleeping and eating patterns to energy levels. 

Some primary ways that depression may cause physical symptoms include:

• Digestive issues
• Frequent headaches
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Persistent fatigue 
• Changes in appetite and weight gain or weight loss
• Restlessness
• Muscle aches or joint pain
• Trouble focusing 

How Does Depression Affect Sleep?

Depression can have a major impact on sleeping patterns, causing some people to sleep too much or too little.

Others may have trouble staying asleep or may feel tired despite having plenty of sleep. 

Can Depression Cause Changes in Appetite or Weight?

Yes, depression can cause significant changes in both appetite and weight. 

Some people may notice an increase in appetite and, as a result, weight gain. This can sometimes occur if they are turning to overeating as a way to try to cope with their depression. 

Other people may experience the opposite scenario, with a decrease in appetite and weight loss. 

How Depression Affects Daily Life

How Can Depression Affect Decision-Making?

Depression can make decision-making more challenging, with some people finding it very stressful and overwhelming to make simple, everyday choices. 

This can be a result of other symptoms associated with depression, including trouble focusing, self-doubt, mental fatigue, and persistent negative thought patterns. 

How Does Depression Affect Work, Relationships, and Responsibilities?

Depression can make it very difficult to keep up with daily responsibilities and may lead to strain on relationships and decreased performance at work or school. 

This can be the result of struggling with low motivation, trouble maintaining a regular schedule, frequently being absent, difficulty making deadlines, or feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities. 

What Are the 3 C’s of Depression?

The 3 C’s of depression are catch it, check it, and change it. 

These three C’s refer to ways that an individual can begin to notice negative thought patterns that may be leading to depression. They can then change these thought patterns by replacing them with healthier, more balanced thoughts. 

Catch it refers to becoming aware of negative thoughts when they occur. Such thoughts could involve examples like, “I’m not good enough,” or “no one cares about me.” 

Catch it involves taking the time to consider these thoughts and whether or not they are actually true. It can also involve checking to see if there is evidence that supports these thoughts. This can help reveal whether there is any truth to these thoughts or whether they are the result of depression or distorted thinking. 

Change it involves making a conscious effort to replace the negative thought with something positive and true. This could include examples like “I am capable of overcoming challenges,” or “I am strong.” 

Severe Depression Symptoms and Mental Health Risks

What Are Signs of Severe Depression?

Some signs of severe depression include extreme fatigue, trouble getting out of bed, complete loss of interest in usual activities, and thoughts of suicide or self-harm. 

Severe depression is sometimes referred to as major depression or major depressive disorder. Those with this condition may find it incredibly difficult to function throughout their daily life. They may notice that their depression has not only affected their mental health, but their physical health as well. 

Severe depression may result in job loss, financial problems, and strained or lost relationships. It could include major changes in sleeping or eating, as well as weight gain or weight loss. Those with severe depression should seek professional help as soon as possible.

Can Depression Cause Suicidal Thoughts or Self-Harm?

Yes, depression can lead to both suicidal thoughts and self-harm. 

These thoughts can become especially severe if the individual is not getting the proper treatment they need. There are some warning signs to be aware of that may signify that someone is experiencing these thoughts or engaging in self-harm. It is important to become aware of these signs so that help for that individual can be sought right away. 

Some of these signs may include:

• Expressing thoughts of not wanting to live
• Engaging in risky behaviors
• Feeling like a burden to others
• Talking or writing about death or suicide
• Withdrawing from loved ones
• Showing signs of self-harm (visible cuts, scars)
• Appearing to conceal evidence of self-harm (unexplained bandages or wearing long-sleeved clothing in hot weather)
• Giving away personal belongings
• Appearing to be saying goodbye to others

How Is Depression Connected to Other Mental Health Conditions?

Depression can be connected to other mental health conditions through what is known as co-occurring disorders, or when two disorders are occurring simultaneously. 

For example, depression could be linked to anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and substance use disorder. 

Causes and Risk Factors for Depression

What Causes Depression?

Many factors can contribute to depression, with many of them being out of the individual’s control. 

For example, some of the primary factors tied to depression include:

• Traumatic life events 
• Job loss or financial trouble
• Genetics or family history
• Life transitions 
• Chronic stress
• Substance use
• Medical conditions (such as chronic pain)
• Psychological factors or brain chemistry 

Can Traumatic Events Trigger Depression?

Yes, traumatic events can trigger depression. 

Some examples of these traumatic events may include experiencing an act of violence or abuse, losing a loved one, childhood neglect, military combat, or a natural disaster. 

For some people, these events may trigger symptoms such as: 

• Severe hopelessness 
• Fatigue
• Loss of interest in old hobbies
• Social withdrawal
• Changes in sleep or appetite
• Trouble concentrating 

What Medical Conditions Are Linked to Depression?

Certain medical conditions such as chronic pain, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer can be linked to depression. 

This can be the result of persistent discomfort or other physical symptoms, the changes in lifestyle or energy levels that these conditions bring, or the stress that they cause. 

Diagnosing Depression

How Do Mental Health Professionals Diagnose Depression?

Mental health professionals diagnose depression by taking a look at the individual’s symptoms, mental health background, emotional well-being, and overall functioning. 

To learn more about how depression is diagnosed, reach out to our team at Alta Health today. 

How Long Does Depression Usually Last?

Depression can last different amounts of time for different people and can be closely tied to whether or not they are receiving adequate professional treatment. 

For those with major depressive disorder, symptoms can persist for at least two weeks and can continue to become more severe without professional help. 

Can Depression Be Diagnosed if You Have Substance Use Disorder?

Yes, depression can be diagnosed in someone with a substance use disorder, and many people struggle with substance use and depression simultaneously. 

It’s important to note that a full evaluation is necessary to diagnose depression in someone with a substance use disorder. This is because certain substances, including alcohol, can mimic depressive symptoms. Therefore, a clinician will need to consider a variety of different factors when making their diagnosis. 

Some of these factors may include:

• Whether the individual still experiences symptoms of depression when sober
• When their symptoms began
• Whether they experienced symptoms of depression before engaging in substance use 
• The type and frequency of substance use 
• Whether or not they have any co-occurring mental or physical health conditions 
• If they have a family history of mental health or substance misuse 

Treatment Options for Depression

How Can Psychotherapy Help With Depression?

Psychotherapy can help those struggling with depression by providing them with a safe space where they can talk through their thoughts and emotions while also developing healthy and effective ways to cope. 

Often referred to as talk therapy, this type of treatment is led by a mental health professional and often involves the following: 

• Identifying negative thought and behavior patterns
• Processing grief and unresolved trauma
• Developing healthy coping strategies for difficult emotions
• Building greater self-confidence 
• Developing problem-solving skills
• Setting realistic goals for the future

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common type of psychotherapy. This treatment method is used to help individuals identify negative thought and behavior patterns that may be contributing to poor mental health. From there, the individual can then work toward replacing these patterns with healthier, more positive thoughts and behaviors.

To learn more about what treatment for depression looks like at Alta Health, reach out to our team today. 

How Do Antidepressant Medications Treat Depression?

Different antidepressant medications work in different ways to relieve the symptoms of depression. 

Some of the most common forms of antidepressant medications include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications work to help balance neurotransmitters within the brain. These neurotransmitters help regulate many important bodily processes such as appetite, mood, motivation, sleep, and emotions. 

Other types of medications that may be prescribed, particularly if SSRIs are not providing adequate relief, may include:

• Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) 
• Atypical antidepressants 
• Tricylic antidepressants 

The amount of time it takes to experience relief from depression symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people may notice improvement within two to six weeks. However, it may take longer for others. 

It’s important to stay in regular communication with a healthcare provider throughout this time to ensure their medication is working effectively and that the dosage doesn’t need to be adjusted. 

Antidepressants are often considered to be most effective when they are combined alongside other forms of treatment, including talk therapy. 

Are There Other Treatments for Severe Depression?

Yes, in addition to talk therapy and/or antidepressants, other forms of depression treatment may be utilized. 

Whether these treatments may be recommended can depend on the severity of the individual’s depression, whether they may be a danger to themselves or others, and their overall mental and physical health. 

Some additional forms of treatment may include intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), partial hospitalization programs, holistic forms of therapy, and lifestyle changes. 

Recovering From Depression

How To Recover From Depression?

It is possible to recover from depression by seeking treatment from a licensed mental health professional, attending therapy, and taking medication if necessary. 

How Can You Help a Depressed Person?

The best way to help a depressed person is to show them compassionate support and encourage them to seek professional treatment. 

How Can Lifestyle Changes Support Depression Recovery?