How to recognize the symptoms of depression?

We explain the key ideas to know how to recognize the characteristic symptoms of depression.

Major depression is a mood disorder that has a global effect on each and every one of the vital aspects of the person who suffers from it: whether at a cognitive, emotional or physical level.

It is one of the most common psychological disorders in our population; however, it can also be a very silent psychopathology, since, due to its characteristics, it does not attract attention (it is based on the "dull state" of those who develop it) and it is even common for people who suffer from it to hide it.

In order to learn to identify it correctly and to go as soon as possible to a mental health specialist it is important to recognize the most common symptoms of depressionWe will give you some key ideas on how to do this. Of course, remember that the diagnosis can only be made by mental health professionals.

Keys to recognize the symptoms of major depression.

Broadly speaking, it can be said that major depression is characterized by a pattern of onset of emotions associated with apathy and hopelessness, and not exclusively sadness and sadness.and not exclusively sadness. In fact, many people are surprised to learn that many of those who suffer from major depression do not describe their state as "sad", since this emotion is too intense to fit their way of seeing what is happening to them on an affective level.

In other words, part of the problem of depression, especially in moderate and severe cases, is that the person does not feel sufficiently motivated to change their situation. Hence the predominant feeling that "nothing matters". the feeling that "nothing matters". and that, as a consequence, the departure itself has no value (hence in many occasions suicidal ideation is a constant in the daily life of people with depression).

So, when it comes to gaining sensitivity to this mental disorder and knowing how to detect its symptoms, keep these ideas in mind:

• Not all people with depression cry frequently, but almost all are apathetic and "off" when they don't feel pressured to pretend they are well.
• Depression causes the desire to improve one's quality of life to greatly diminish or even disappear.
• Depression can arise at almost any stage of life, but adults and seniors have more reason to hide it, especially if they have raised a family.
• Major depression develops over a period of months and is not drug-induced.

Having seen these keys, let's take a closer look at the main symptoms of depression.

What are its main symptoms?

If you want to know in depth the main symptoms that characterize major depression, here you will find our specialized selection on the subject.

1. Sadness

One of the main symptoms of major depression is a generalized and permanent feeling of sadness that directly affects the mood of the person who suffers from it.. However, as we have seen, this symptom is not always present.

This sadness prevents the person from living as he/she did before, which is why some activities are usually stopped, mainly those related to leisure and social gatherings.

2. Emptiness and hopelessness

Another common symptom in cases of major depression is a feeling of constant emptiness in which the person is unable to feel any emotion, either positive or negative.

Although generally one has a vision of the depression associated to the sadness and the desire to cry, many people who present this problem experience this sensation of emptiness, which can affect psychologically as much or more.

3. Anxiety

Anxiety, agitation and constant restlessness are also classic symptoms of depression and one of the signs that psychology professionals use to detect this type of case.

Anxiety has a very harmful effect on a person's life, and this anxious-depressive combination is often the cause of depression. this anxious-depressive combination usually has a devastating psychological effect on their mental health..

4. Lack of energy

The lack of energy at the time of carrying out any activity that interests us is another of the unequivocal signs that we are before a problem of mental health.

This can also manifest itself as a generalized tiredness during the whole day, as slowness at the time of speaking or reasoning, as lack of coordination or apathy.as a lack of coordination or apathy.

In this regard, it is also worth mentioning the loss of appetite, which is often one of the most frequent symptoms in cases of depression.

5. Loss of interest

In the same way, this lack of energy also usually entails, as indicated above, a sudden loss of interest in those things that are of interest to the patient, a sudden loss of interest in those activities that we used to do during our leisure time..

These types of activities often include favorite hobbies, physical activity, sports, and even sexual encounters.

6. Cognitive function impairment

Some psychological disturbances such as anxiety or depression can ostensibly alter the cognitive functions of the person, making them less fluid..

Some of these functions are attention, memory, reasoning, creativity, decision making and even the ability to communicate.

7. Recurrent disturbing thoughts

Habitually, the people who present cases of depression are accustomed to have recurrent very negative thoughts and associated to subjects like the death, the disease or the suicide.

These types of thoughts appear throughout the day and contribute to increasing psychological distress.The sadness and suffering of the person.

8. Sleep disturbances

Depression can also have an effect on the person's sleep habits and this is manifested in insomnia or an increase in the hours of sleep. manifests itself in insomnia or also in an increase in sleep hours..

In any case, it is evident that in cases of depression the person is affected in all aspects of their daily life, including sleep.

9. Irritability

Irritability is another of the most common symptoms presented by people with depression, especially younger people, i.e. children and adolescents.

This manifests itself in outbursts of anger, moodiness, conflictiveness and in a tendency to get angry easily for any little thing with friends and relatives.

10. Physical symptoms

The psychological distress associated with major depression is also often accompanied by a number of very specific and common physical manifestations.

Some of these physical symptoms are backache or headache, fatigue or Muscle pain.fatigue or muscle pain. Many are encouraged by the passive and sedentary lifestyle that depression induces.

Are you looking for therapeutic support for depression?

If you would like to begin treatment for depression or another mood disorder, contact our team of professionals.

At CITA Clinics we intervene both from psychological therapy and psychiatry, attending adults and adolescents. You will find us in Barcelona and in Dosrius (Mataró).