Depression Symptoms: Do These Common Signs Describe Your Life?

Do you ever feel like you are wading through a thick sludge, but happiness gets farther away with each step? Do you feel like this tired balloon, where it feels impossible to lift off the ground, even though you want to fly? Yet you likely keep a smile on your face for the world.
Depression – it’s a word we are all familiar with.

In popular culture today, we use the word depression in a variety of ways. We may call something “depressing” if a heavy topic interrupts an otherwise pleasant afternoon. We say we are depressed when we are feeling sad, and sometimes, we may use “depression” interchangeably with grief, discouragement, or heartbreak.

But what does depression really mean? What does it look like, from a clinical point of view? This article will answer some of these questions as we take a deeper look into what depression is and how it differs from what popular culture says.

What is depression?

Depression, also known as major depressive disorder (MDD), is a clinical diagnosis given when feelings of hopelessness, lethargy, and melancholia begin to overwhelm someone’s life. In contrast to the feelings of sadness or hopelessness after a recent negative event, MDD may not have a circumstance tying the person to these heavy feelings.

Because there is no event to point to, someone experiencing depression symptoms may begin to feel even more guilt and confusion, feeling there is no cause for their pain. A common response loved ones may have is the question: “Your life is pretty good, why are you depressed?” But questions like these only increase feelings of despair and make it more difficult for that person to share next time.

Depression can be due to biological alterations in the brain, learned thought patterns over time, an involuntary response to past experiences, something else entirely, or several of these things combined.

Symptoms of Depression

Depression is characterized by many different symptoms, and a person does not need to experience each one to be considered clinically depressed. However, when you notice a persistent cluster of these symptoms, you may consider visiting a counselor who can help decide whether a diagnosis is warranted and offer next steps to recovery.

Symptoms of depression include low mood experienced the majority of the time, reduced pleasure in activities that used to bring you joy (anhedonia), observable changes in eating, sleeping, and energy patterns, fatigue, and cognitive symptoms, including difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness, misplaced guilt, and suicidal ideation.

Major depression usually comes in waves, or episodes. An individual may only experience one episode of depression in their life, but it is more likely that several episodes will occur. For some people, these episodes are distant and relatively short-lasting, but for others, they can last a long time and occur frequently.

Regardless of the frequency and duration of a depressive episode, these symptoms can be debilitating, impeding one’s ability to complete daily tasks, including showering, eating, and maintaining work, household, and social responsibilities.

Often, one of the biggest challenges faced by individuals struggling with depression is the feeling of failure due to the difficulty of carrying out daily tasks. This can create a feedback loop that makes the affected person feel trapped and hopeless. Therapy, by introducing an outside perspective from a trained, supportive professional, is one great way to break that cycle.

A Deeper Look at Depression Symptoms

Just like any individual experience, there is a lot of variation in how symptoms of depression show up in an individual’s life, and each person will have a different cluster of the symptoms listed above. Additionally, many of these symptoms overlap with different disorders, both physical and psychiatric.

Because of this, it can be unhelpful or even dangerous to compare oneself with another person’s experience of depression or try to diagnose oneself. It is important to collaborate with a therapist to unpack your unique experience so that attentive, tailored treatment can be created with your story and voice in mind.

With that said, it can still be helpful to have a deeper understanding of this common disorder and the symptoms that surround it. It can create personal awareness that leads to change. Let’s look at some of the more complex symptoms, such as suicidal ideation, anhedonia, fatigue, and low motivation.

Suicidal Ideation

Suicidal ideation, defined as the presence of thoughts involving intentionally ending one’s own life, is a serious pattern of thinking that must be addressed before other treatment can begin. A counselor may create a safety plan, assess current danger (i.e., whether there is an attempt planned), and explore the thoughts and feelings related to the ideation. The individual must be safe before moving on to explore the underlying challenges.

Suicidal ideation, though a symptom of depression, can be present without a diagnosis of MDD. It can be a response to extreme stress or prolonged discouragement and hopelessness, or be related to another mental health condition.

If you are experiencing suicidal ideation, don’t be afraid to let your counselor know! Many people are nervous to disclose these thoughts because of the fear of mandated reporting, but are encouraged to know that counselors should not report on these thoughts unless they represent an imminent and life-threatening situation.

Your counselor will want to know you are hurting in this way so they can better serve you through a more accurate understanding of what you are experiencing.

Anhedonia

Anhedonia, or the loss of interest and pleasure from previously loved activities, can leave the sufferer feeling stuck in a dark void, unable to find escape through things once enjoyed. While anhedonia is characteristic of several mental health conditions, it is often a defining feature of depression.

Loved ones may feel baffled due to the shift in the sufferer’s routine or muted responses to these activities that were considered fun before. Feelings of numbness and emptiness often coincide with anhedonia, which can create an inner landscape of loneliness, confusion, or feelings of worthlessness. These are common experiences when going through a depressive episode.

Try to have patience and hold onto hope! When the depression lifts, these activities often become restored, or new ones develop, and the numbness can give way to a healthy, stable mood once more.

Fatigue and Low Motivation

Fatigue and low motivation often accompany an episode of depression. The sharp decrease in motivation can be distressing and leave the person feeling stuck with their engine idle, unable to generate the energy needed for simple tasks, including showering and eating.

Sometimes, an individual with fatigue may not be aware that it is due to a depressive episode. These people may seek medical care and become frustrated by the lack of answers. Although it is good to seek medical attention to rule out underlying physical conditions, it is important to remember that many mental health conditions can also show up physically, often in unexpected ways.

Considering whether your fatigue may be related to mental health, physical health, or both is a well-rounded, holistic approach that will aid in finding the right treatment quicker. Remember – low motivation and fatigue due to depression are real symptoms of a true condition; it does not necessarily mean you are lazy! A mental health provider can come alongside you and explore ways to increase motivation and help you feel equipped to tackle your day again.

How Therapy Can Help

If you feel that any of the symptoms mentioned above describe you, it may be time to consider counseling. A trained professional can help you sort through the symptoms you are experiencing and find the proper diagnosis. Your clinician will walk through your unique story and explore the challenges you bring, as well as your personal strengths, to create a more accurate, tailored treatment plan that fits your specific needs and draws from your abilities.

You can explore the underlying root causes that may be causing depressive symptoms in your life. Your provider may help you find healthier thought patterns to break the negative feedback loop that is helping sustain your depression. Considering emotional content and finding a safe space to vent feelings can also aid in lifting the heaviness you are experiencing.

Additionally, behavioral activation exercises and support through accountability can help you get back on your feet and begin to feel more energized and capable again. If you are under the heavy weight of depression today, don’t lose hope! You can find freedom from the darkness, isolation, and pain, and enjoy life again. Consider reaching out to our office today.