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Signs and Symptoms of Depression “I don’t feel like myself anymore.”
“Everything and everybody seems to bother me and I can’t feel happy.”
“I feel like there’s this incredible weight on me and I’m dragging.”
“It takes everything I have to get through the day. All I want to do is be alone or sleep.”
“Everything I do takes so much effort.”
People with depression commonly express these kinds of feelings. Some people may not report a sad or depressed mood, but almost all complain they have a general sense of not being well that makes everyday activities and interactions burdensome.
Common signs and symptoms of depression include:
- depressed mood, including feelings of guilt
- “heavy weight” upon the person
- constant tension, “always wound up”
- frustration
- irritability
- frequent tearfulness and/or crying
- lack of interest in any pleasurable activity—unable to feel pleasure or joy
- poor self-esteem, “I don’t feel good about myself”
- hopelessness
- poor appetite
- insomnia, with difficulty falling asleep and/or frequent middle-of-the-night awakening
- dwelling on past events
- constant fatigue or weariness
- no improvement despite a positive change in the environment or events
- difficulty with memory and concentration
- withdrawal from friends and family
- multiple physical complaints such as stomachache or headache that don’t get better with conventional treatment
- thoughts of suicide
Experiencing five or more of these symptoms most days for two weeks characterizes major depression and indicates that someone should see a health professional.
Feeling a pervasive sense of sadness and agreeing with fewer than five of these categories may mean a person is suffering from either major depression or a milder form of depression and still may benefit from treatment.
By Josepha Cheong, MD; Michael Herkov, PhD; Wayne Goodman, MD
©1999-2004 University of Florida McKnight Brain Institute
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