How To Know If You Are Depressed: Signs, Symptoms & Mental Health Care

According to the World Health Organization, depression affects approximately 5% of adults around the world. Despite being a common mental health disorder, a person can have some of the symptoms of depression in daily life, such as trouble concentrating or low energy, but not realize they are experiencing depression. Since depression affects people differently, it can be difficult to know what to look for and when to seek help. 

It can be common to feel sad or lonely at times, especially when dealing with life challenges or personal loss, but when such feelings become overwhelming and affect your emotional and physical well-being, they may be signs of depression. 

Below, we’ll discuss depression in detail and look at nine signs that can affect daily activities and may indicate it’s time to get help.

Symptoms of depression can affect how you think, what you do, and how you feel physically. Most people experiencing depression may not feel motivated to do their usual daily activities. They may experience persistent sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness; decreased energy; loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed; or a desire to isolate themselves from others. Relationships with family, friends, and coworkers may also be affected.

When symptoms start interfering with daily activities

Someone experiencing symptoms of depression may not take care of themselves as they normally would in their daily life. The way they think about their health, such as managing chronic problems like arthritis, diabetes, or high blood pressure, may leave them feeling discouraged. When a person living with depression feels hopeless, self-care may become less of a priority, which can increase personal health risks. Even small tasks such as school or home responsibilities, or daily activities such as bathing, may feel too challenging for someone with depression. 

How to know if you are depressed: Nine symptoms of depression

When you feel depressed, you may experience multiple symptoms of depression such as trouble concentrating, low mood, body pain, and a lack of interest in social activities, for instance. Such feelings are often persistent, and it’s typically not easy to shake them off. The presence of symptoms can vary from person to person, and their severity can vary as well.

Symptoms of depression

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the following are nine symptoms of depression:

1. Depressed mood. Some people may report a depressed mood, or this may be observed by those around them. 
2. Loss of interest or withdrawal from activities. Many individuals who are living with depression may experience a lack of enjoyment of activities they used to look forward to, such as hobbies or time with friends. 
3. Significant appetite and weight changes. Individuals experiencing depression may eat more or less than normal, which can result in weight fluctuation (more than 5%). These changes may occur unintentionally.
4. Sleep disturbances. Some experience insomnia or sleep too much (hypersomnia).
5. Fatigue or low energy. Many people lack interest in doing regular activities because they don’t have the energy. A lack of proper rest may lead to feeling agitated or anxious. 
6. Inability to concentrate. Some people experiencing depression have trouble focusing on tasks and activities. Some also experience difficulty making decisions and remembering things.
7. Feelings of worthlessness or unjustified guilt. A person with depression may experience low self-esteem or blame themselves for things that aren’t their fault.
8. Psychomotor changes. These changes could involve either agitation or slower movements or speech.
9. Thoughts of death or suicide. In some cases, a depressed person shows or experiences symptoms before self-harm occurs. Warning signs that an individual may be at risk for suicide include talking about wanting to die or having no reason to live, discussing feelings of hopelessness/unbearable pain, giving away important possessions, tying up loose ends, increasing substance use or risky behavior, and experiencing a sudden switch in mood or behavior.

According to the DSM-5, if you experience five or more of these symptoms (two of which must be numbers 1 and 2) daily, most of the day, for two weeks or more, you may be experiencing depression. (The exceptions are criteria 3 and 9, which don’t necessarily have to be present daily or most of the day.)

Also, according to the Mayo Clinic, depression may appear differently in men than in women. They may engage in more risky behaviors, such as substance use, as a way to escape their feelings. They may also express more anger and irritability.

Depression and other conditions that can look similar

Determining if you have depression may involve reviewing your history with a doctor or mental health professional. Since other conditions can look similar to depression, a doctor will likely want to know what symptoms you’ve experienced, for how long, the severity, and if mental illnesses run in your family. 

They may also want to know if you have a history of substance or alcohol use before determining a diagnosis and treatment options.

Medical and mental health conditions to rule out

Professionals in psychiatry sometimes determine a mental health diagnosis by process of elimination, especially when symptoms overlap. When diagnosing depression, they may want to rule out other conditions, including physical and mental disorders, such as: 

• Anxiety disorders
• Thyroid issues
• Substance use disorder
• Bipolar disorder

Why diagnosis matters

Since symptoms of depression can mimic those of other disorders, clinical diagnosis is imperative. Once you’re evaluated by a physician or mental health professional, you can take the next steps to treating and managing your condition. 

What causes depression and who is at higher risk?

Depression may not have a single identifiable cause. Researchers believe that genetics, brain chemistry, stressful events, medical conditions, and medication can be factors related to depression. Grieving the loss of a loved one may lead to depression, as can living conditions such as homelessness, poverty, or violence. Hormone changes or unknown medical conditions may also contribute to changes in mood and depression.

Circumstances such as changes in weather (seasonal affective disorder, or SAD), thyroid problems, poor sleeping habits, social media overload, or poor family relations are other possible factors that can contribute to depression. Finally, some people may experience depression with no readily apparent cause. 

Genetics and family history

While it can be difficult to pinpoint a single cause of depression, certain risk factors could make it more likely for some people to have this condition compared to others. One risk factor appears to be family history. If you have blood relatives diagnosed with depression or other mental health conditions, you may be at a higher risk. 

Trauma and abuse history

In addition to other environmental factors, a history of trauma and abuse in childhood could predict the development of depression in later life. If you have experienced emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, tell your mental health care provider. They may be able to recommend an effective trauma-informed treatment.

Why it’s important to know the signs of depression

Some people may feel depressed for a prolonged period and not realize that depression is taking a toll on their lives. Depression is more than just sadness on a bad day. A person experiencing depression may find it difficult to get out of a downward spiral. It can get harder to get things done due to a lack of energy and difficulty concentrating. It may also be challenging for a person with depression to see themselves in a positive light. 

When to seek professional help

Recognizing the warning signs of depression may allow you to get help and break the cycle. If you’ve been experiencing symptoms of depression that interfere with your daily life for more than two weeks, it may be time to seek the support of a mental health professional. 

If you are thinking life is not worth living

Depression can sometimes cause disturbing thoughts that you wouldn’t have otherwise. If you’re thinking of harming yourself or someone else, call 911 or text/call 988 for immediate crisis support. You might feel like life is not worth living now, but with treatment, you may feel better. 

Talking openly with someone you trust

When you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, a listening ear can sometimes make all the difference. Talking openly with someone you trust can help alleviate the effects of depression and expand your support system.

Treatment options and what tends to help most people

Depression can cause debilitating symptoms that make it hard to participate in daily activities, but treatment is available. Once treated by a professional in mental health or psychiatry, most people are able to return to normal functioning as symptoms become manageable. 

Therapy and skills-based treatment

Various types of therapy are available to treat symptoms of depression. Many of these therapeutic modalities are skills-based and empower you with tools you can use to manage symptoms on your own. Most people respond to one form of depression therapy or another. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is among the most common and effective types of therapy for depression. 

Medication and combined care

Medication is sometimes prescribed to treat depression. These medications are often referred to as antidepressant medications, and there are various forms. If you’re interested in trying this form of treatment, a professional in psychiatry can help you decide which prescription is best for you. Many people experience the best results when combining therapy and medication for a comprehensive treatment plan. 

Support systems that can reinforce recovery

Depression tends to be a chronic condition that requires ongoing care and support. Many people benefit from a robust support system that consists of family members, friends, mental health professionals, and other members of the community. If you consider yourself spiritual or religious, try reaching out to your spiritual leader, church, or other faith community. This can add a personalized, values-based component to your clinical treatment plan.

Where to learn more

If you’re diagnosed with depression, learning more about your condition can be beneficial. Resources like the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA) offer up-to-date information about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of depressive disorders. Other resources may include: 

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Mental Health America (MHA)
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)

Getting support through BetterHelp

Therapy has helped millions navigating daily life with depression. In-person therapy sessions may include one-on-one talk sessions and support group sessions with peers where you can talk openly about your feelings. Online therapy sessions are convenient and let you choose when to attend sessions based on your schedule. Therapy can be a comprehensive way of dealing with your emotions while learning practical methods to help you reach goals and improve your mental health.