10 Common Symptoms of Depression
Depression can affect much more than your mood. It can change how you think, sleep, eat, work, communicate and experience everyday life.Everyone experiences depression differently, but here are 10 common symptoms of depression to be aware of.
1. Feeling persistently low
You may feel sad, down or empty for much of the time. Sometimes it can be difficult to explain exactly why you feel this way.2. Losing interest in things
Things you normally enjoy may stop feeling enjoyable. Hobbies, socialising, entertainment or spending time with people can suddenly feel like too much effort.3. Constant tiredness
Depression can leave you feeling exhausted even after sleeping. Everyday tasks can require considerably more effort than they normally would.4. Sleeping differently
You may sleep much more than usual, struggle to get out of bed, or find yourself unable to sleep properly.5. Changes in appetite
Depression can affect your appetite. Some people eat considerably less, while others find themselves eating more than usual.6. Difficulty concentrating
You might struggle to concentrate on work, conversations, reading or television. Making even simple decisions can sometimes feel surprisingly difficult.7. Feeling worthless or guilty
Depression can lead to harsh thoughts about yourself. You might feel like you're not good enough, blame yourself for things that aren't your fault or feel like a burden to other people.8. Withdrawing from people
You may stop replying to messages, avoid social situations or spend more time alone. Sometimes you simply don't have the energy to interact with anyone.9. Feeling hopeless
The future can seem difficult to imagine positively. You may feel that things won't improve or that you're stuck in the way you're feeling.10. Feeling emotionally numb
Depression isn't always sadness. Some people describe feeling completely numb, disconnected or as though they're simply going through the motions.When should you get help?
If you're experiencing several of these symptoms, particularly if they've lasted for a while or are affecting your everyday life, consider speaking to your GP or another qualified healthcare professional.Having some of these symptoms doesn't automatically mean you have depression. Other physical and mental health conditions can cause similar experiences.
You don't have to wait until things become unbearable before asking for help.
Want to talk about how you're feeling?
TalkMH is a mental health support forum where you can talk about depression, low mood, anxiety, stress and other difficult experiences.You can share your own experience, join an existing conversation or simply read what other people are going through.
Sometimes it helps to know you're not the only one.
