The most common and central features of depression are a persistently low or depressed mood and a loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities. These two symptoms are considered the core diagnostic criteria for a major depressive episode.
Common signs and symptoms of depression include:
Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness. Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters. Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports. Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much.
The psychological symptoms of depression include: continuous low mood or sadness. feeling hopeless and helpless.
Depression often occurs in 'episodes,' similar to flare-ups in physical conditions, where symptoms are more intense. The length of these episodes can vary, but for those diagnosed with depression, episodes typically last more than two weeks. The frequency of these episodes also varies from person to person.
Causes - Depression in adults
Clinical depression (major depressive disorder) can greatly interfere with your daily functioning and quality of life if it's not treated. People with clinical depression are at a high risk of developing anxiety disorders and substance use disorders, which further increase their risk of suicide.
Major depression is an illness with objective physical signs occurring with some consistency. These signs are retardation of movements and diminished gestures and expressions. The patient may appear tired, self-concerned, bored, and inattentive and display a loss of interest in the surroundings.
The "5 R's of Depression" refer to key stages in the illness's course and treatment: Response (symptom improvement), Remission (few symptoms left), Recovery (sustained remission/symptom-free), Relapse (symptoms return before full recovery), and Recurrence (a new episode after full recovery). Understanding these stages helps track progress, prevent setbacks, and manage expectations in dealing with major depressive disorder, notes Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/two-takes-on-depression/201103/depression-do you-know-all-your-rs and the Eisenberg Family Depression Center.
While each person may experience symptoms differently, these are the most common symptoms of depression:
During a depressed period, you may feel sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities. But then it will switch to a period of mania, when you feel euphoric, energetic, or irritable. Those are not symptoms of clinical depression.
It is diagnosed when an individual has a persistently low or depressed mood, anhedonia or decreased interest in pleasurable activities, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, lack of energy, poor concentration, appetite changes, psychomotor retardation or agitation, sleep disturbances, or suicidal thoughts.
Key facts
What are the signs and symptoms of depression?
Considerable evidence links the “Big Five” personality traits (neuroticism, extroversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and openness) with depression.
New evidence shows that people who maintain a range of healthy habits, from good sleep to physical activity to strong social connections, are significantly less likely to experience depression.
Research shows that alcohol and opioids have the highest rates of relapse, with some studies indicating a relapse rate for alcohol as high as 80 percent during the first year after treatment. Similarly, some studies suggest a relapse rate for opioids as high as 80 to 95 percent during the first year after treatment.
The "3 Cs of Depression" often refers to either the Cognitive Triad (negative views of self, world, and future) or the Cognitive Restructuring technique (Catch, Check, Change negative thoughts) used in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to manage depressive thinking, with Catching, Checking, and Changing helping individuals identify, question, and replace unhelpful thought patterns.
10 Types of Depression
Reduced Facial Expressions:
One of the most common facial signs of depression is a decrease in facial expressions, often referred to as "flat affect." Individuals with depression may show less movement in their facial muscles, resulting in a lack of smiles or frowns that typically convey emotions.
Overview
Mental Health Conditions: Depression and Anxiety
Physical symptoms are common in major depression and may lead to chronic pain and complicate treatment. Symptoms associated with depression include joint pain, limb pain, back pain, gastrointestinal problems, fatigue, psychomotor activity changes, and appetite changes.
When depression goes unaddressed, you increase your risk of developing chronic health conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. Additionally, untreated depression may result in memory issues and trouble making decisions. Research shows that untreated depression could also shorten your lifespan.
Treatment for MDD
Despite the effects MDD has been shown to have on the brain, there is good news. “When depression is treated effectively, many people experience a resolution of the cognitive changes, suggesting that these changes may not be permanent,” Kristinsson says.