Signs and Symptoms of Depression

How to know if you, or someone else, may have depression

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

How to know if you, or someone else, may have depression

If you are feeling low, and have been for a while, you could be suffering from depression. There is more than one type of depression, but no matter which type you may be experiencing, it is crucial that you get the right support for you. This page will help you spot the signs and symptoms of depression, whether it is physical (body) or psychological (mental) symptoms that you are worried about.

Depression is common and affects more than 264 million people worldwide, but it is important to remember that different people will experience their condition in their own way. Whatever symptoms you are experiencing, depression is not something you should have to just put up with. By speaking to a doctor, you can make sure you do not have to go through it alone.

Read on to learn more.

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What are the warning signs of depression?
What are the symptoms of depression?
Symptoms specific to different types of depression
How do you know if you’re depressed?

What are the warning signs of depression?

It can be hard to spot if a friend or family member is dealing with depression.This is because people can still seem happy and social, even though they might be struggling to cope.

If you or someone else is experiencing one or more of these symptoms, it does not always mean you have depression. Low mood can be a sign of depression, but you can also experience low mood if there are difficult or upsetting things happening in your life. It is normal to feel sad or low when you experience distressing things. But if you keep feeling sad or low for longer than a month, this could be because you have depression.

Even though depression affects everyone differently, there are common warning signs you might notice. Depression can make people feel differently to how they usually do, including how they might think or feel about themselves.. They might make it harder for you to seek help. Remember, depression is a serious medical condition, and it is important that you seek professional help.

Depression can make you feel empty, or it might make you more emotional or irritable than you are normally. You might feel more than one of these things at the same time, which can be confusing. It is sometimes difficult to work out if you are experiencing depression because of all the different ways it can make you feel. Commonly, people with depression can feel:

low
tired with less energy than normal - this is known as fatigue
lonely
helpless, hopeless and empty
angry and irritable, with less patience than normal
guilty or worthless
anxious and worried
De-motivated and tired all the time

If you have depression you might find your behaviour changes. Commonly, this can include:

seeing friends and family less often, or at all
changes to appetite
changes to sleep pattern
Changes to concentration
smoking, drinking, or using drugs more often than usual
self-harm

What are the symptoms of depression?

Having depression does not mean you will have the same experience as someone else with depression. You may experience totally different symptoms to a friend, or you might experience certain symptoms more intensely than others. This is okay, and never a reflection on the person struggling. There is no right or wrong way to experience depression.

It is important to know both the mental and physical symptoms of depression. Physical symptoms include:

body aches and pains. You might notice that you are feeling more sore and achy than you usually do. This may well be because you are more tired and spending more time in bed than usual. Doing some gentle exercise to get your body moving a little might help this.

changes to appetite. This could mean eating more or less than usual. When you are low, it can be tempting to comfort eat, or alternatively to not eat at all. Do your best to keep a healthy, balanced diet. This means eating three meals a day, with five portions of fruit or vegetables. Looking after your body is still very important.

Fatigue and lack of motivation. This means you are tired more often, and have less energy. This does not make you lazy; depression is a real condition affecting the mind and body.

low libido. This means you want to have sex less often. If you are in a relationship, it can be helpful to talk about how you are feeling with your partner. It is important that your partner listens and tries to understand how you are feeling. If you do not want to have sex, do not feel that you should.

erectile dysfunction (ED). It might be difficult to get and maintain an erection if you are struggling with depression. This is because it is common to experience anxiety, low self-esteem and guilt when you are depressed. These feelings are all common causes of ED. Often, ED is something people are embarrassed to talk about. You might also feel worried about the effect it might have on your relationships. This is another reason why it is important to talk about how you are feeling with people you feel you can trust.

constipation. Constipation makes it more difficult to open your bowels, and can be distressing. You may go less often and find you have to strain to do so. Your stool may also be harder, lumpier and dry. You are more likely to become constipated if you have been lying in bed more, been less active, or changed your eating habits. Constipation is easy to treat and a problem many people experience, so do not feel embarrassed to speak to your doctor about it.

speaking and moving slower. You might notice that it takes you longer to think what you are trying to say, or find it hard to remember your words. This can feel frustrating, but with the right support it is likely temporary. If you are worried about a friend who seems low, and stumbles over their words, it is important to be patient. Your friend needs friends who will support them, as well as professional help.

You might also notice some psychological symptoms if you or someone you know is depressed:

Changes in personality. A change in personality can be noticed as someone behaving differently than they would usually under certain circumstances. It can be normal for a person’s personality to change slowly over their life. Also, small changes to how people act and behave are normal. But, bigger changes to a person’s personality, such as being more moody, angry, quiet, or sad, could point to depression. Speaking to a doctor is very important if this carries on.

Memory loss. Depression can affect your short-term memory. This is the part of your memory that holds small amounts of information for short periods of time - just a few seconds. If your short-term memory is affected, you might forget something a friend has just told you, or have trouble remembering where you just put your keys. Do not just ignore memory loss. There are lots of different things that could cause you to be more forgetful, so if it carries on speak to a doctor.

Intolerant of other people

Difficulty with thinking

Concentrating and making decisions. If your short-term memory is affected, it can make it hard to make decisions quickly. You might need reminding of the options you're deciding between, or have to think things through a bit more slowly. Be kind to yourself, and do not feel badly about this. If you notice this in a friend, it is important to be patient and understanding.

Thinking of harming yourself or others. When you are feeling low, and do not like yourself very much, you might find you have thoughts of hurting yourself. This is known as self-harm. If you get these thoughts, you must contact a health professional immediately so you can get the right support before you hurt yourself. It can be hard to notice this in a friend as often people harm themselves in places others cannot see. If you do notice cuts or scars on a friend, you should be very careful and sensitive talking to them about it. When people self-harm they may feel relieved for a short time, but embarrassed and ashamed afterwards. Getting the right support and talking about your feelings can help relieve the mental pain you are experiencing.

Suicidal thoughts and attempts. People commit suicide when they are severely clinically depressed, and feel there is no hope. Suicide rates in the UK are rising, with 6,507 deaths by suicide in 2018. People who survive trying to take their own life often feel embarrassed and ashamed. Showing understanding and kindness is how you can be a supportive friend to someone who has attempted suicide. It is important to show your friend they are not judged and that they are loved. Remember it is not selfish to commit suicide, as the person often thinks their friends and family would be better off without them. If you are having thoughts of wanting to take your life, you must talk to a medical professional. If you are worried about a friend, talk to them and remind them they are valued and not alone.

Symptoms specific to different types of depression

The term depression covers several different mental health conditions. There are different types of depression, and each type has symptoms specific to them. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should speak to a doctor, as you could have a certain type of depression. It can be frightening to experience these symptoms, but with the help of a doctor, you can find the right treatment and support.

The symptoms specific to certain types of depression are:

Mania. Mania is a symptom of bipolar or manic depression. You may experience feelings of grandeur, or self importance. This feeling of being on top of the world is known as a manic phase. However, if you are experiencing mania you can suddenly dip and feel depressed again. These are known as mood swings. Often, moods swing from depressed to manic, giving you the feeling you are on an emotional rollercoaster.

This can be noticeable in others as they may show behavioural changes. When someone is in a manic phase, they may talk quickly and appear agitated. They may also have more energy and less inhibitions. Having less inhibitions means you are held back less by emotions or worries, so may do things you wouldn’t normally. Just because someone acts this way and is excitable, does not mean they are not suffering from depression.

Hallucinations. Hallucinations are a symptom of bipolar or manic depression, and psychotic depression. Hallucinations are when a person sees, hears, smells, tastes or feels something that is not there. This is often experienced as hearing voices, but there are many other ways people can experience hallucinations. Hallucinations can be frightening, and you might feel paranoid or nervous, but you should tell someone straight away.

Delusions. Delusions are a symptom of bipolar/manic depression, and psychotic depression.They are when you think and believe things that are unlikely to be true. Mostly, delusions reflect how the person feels. For example, they may believe negative things about themselves which are not true, such as that they have done something bad. It is difficult to identify delusions in yourself, as you are likely to believe they are true. You may be more likely to notice if a friend is having delusions, as they may tell you things you know are not true. If you do think a friend is having delusions, you can help them by contacting a medical professional on their behalf. If you think they are at risk of hurting themselves or others you should seek urgent support.

How do you know if you’re depressed?

It can be difficult to work out whether you are depressed or just feeling low. It is common to feel low from time to time, but depression is when you keep feeling low every day for a long time. You might have read the signs and symptoms of depression, and now feel more sure you or a friend are depressed. If this is the case, there are some steps you can take.

Depression self-assessments are tools you can use to work out if you’re really feeling depressed or going through a low spell. They can be helpful for getting more informed and also can help doctors to give you a diagnosis. Depression self-assessments can be useful, but they cannot give you a diagnosis like a doctor can.

This is why you should speak to a doctor about what you are feeling if you are still worried about depression. It is the only way to get a proper diagnosis so you can know for sure and get the right support.. It is common to feel alone, helpless and hopeless, but you should remember that you are never alone. and there are ways to treat or manage depression. Your doctor is the perfect person to help you do this.

You might feel nervous speaking to your doctor, but doing so is important for your mental and physical health. If you do feel nervous, know that your doctor will be used to talking about depression with their other patients. The most recent mental health survey showed that 1 in 8 adults use mental health services, so do not feel embarrassed or alone. We are here to help.