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| Depression Signs and Symptoms |  The despondency of depression is unrelenting and overwhelming, more than just temporary blue mood. Some people compare it with “living in a black hole” or having a feeling of coming doom. They can't hide from unhappiness and despair. Nevertheless, some people with depression don't feel depressed at all. They feel lifeless and empty, rather than sad. In this indifferent state, they can’t have pleasure. They are not interested in activities they used to enjoy, they feel as if they're just “going through the motions.”
The symptoms range from person to person, and they may wax and wane in severity over time. Depression symptoms can be described by the following chart.
| Depressed mood | Feeling despaired, sad, discouraged, or empty. | | Loss of interest or pleasure | Impossibility to experience pleasure. You are not interested in anything, including former hobbies, social activities, and sex. | | Appetite or weight changes | Essential weight loss or weight gain — a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month. | | Sleep changes | Insomnia or oversleeping (also known as hypersomnia). | | Psychomotor agitation or retardation | “Keyed up,” incapable to sit quiet, anxious, restless or slow, sluggish speech and body movements, lack of responsiveness. | | Exhaustion or loss of energy | Physically tired. Even small tasks are tiresome. Can't do things as rapid as you used to. | | Self-loathing | Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. Harsh criticism of faults and mistakes.
| | Concentration problems | Inability to concentrate. Problems with making decisions. Can’t “think straight.” Memory problems. | | Irritability | Grumbling, easily annoyed, and disappointed with little things. Angry explosions. | | Aches and pains | Depression can lead to many provoke many physical symptoms, including headaches, backaches, diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, and aching joints. |
People suffering from depression often show strained thinking. Everything looks grim to them, and they hold very negative views about themselves, their situation, and the future. Trapped in their pessimism, they are involved in their problems and blow them out of proportion. Feeling hopeless and helpless, they may even start to see suicide as the only decision for them.
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