Healthy individuals experience a range of emotions that may change during a day, over the course of a week, or in response to something in their lives. However, those who have clinical depression have symptoms that interfere with their daily lives and stop them from enjoying life.
What are the most common symptoms of depression? A depressed mood or loss of interest and pleasure are the most common, but there are other symptoms as well. Not everyone has the same symptoms—and, in fact, the same person can have different symptoms at different times. Depression can be emotional and physical. Some basic categories of depressive symptoms are listed on the right.
Do you think you are suffering with depression? You may wish to complete the My Depression Score worksheet to better understand your symptoms when you talk with your physician.
| Symptoms of Depression |
|---|
| Feelings of sadness or emptiness |
| Frequent crying |
| Lost or reduced interest or pleasure in activities |
| Weight loss or weight gain – a change of more than 5% in a month |
| Decrease or increase in appetite to sleep or sleeping too much |
| Lack of focus and alertness |
| Generalized aches and pains |
| Loss of energy or feeling tired |
| Feelings of worthlessness and/or guilt |
| Difficulty concentrating, making decisions or remembering things |
| Thoughts of death or suicidal ideation |
| Irritability or anxiety |
Your questions answered:
I don’t cry. I thought people with depression cried all the time.
Individuals with depression may experience different symptoms. Two of the most common symptoms include a depressed feeling and loss of interest or pleasure. One may experience other symptoms as well. Depression is personal, so one person’s symptoms may be different from the symptoms of someone else with depression.
Could this just be stress?
Stress can cause one to feel sick and tired. However, experiencing these feelings for at least two weeks, along with a depressed mood or loss of interest and pleasure, could be depression. By explaining all of your symptoms to your doctor, he can determine what symptoms may be caused by stress or other illness, and which symptoms may be caused by depression.