What are the Symptoms of Depression?

Published at 23 September 2024

Depression is considered a disease of the present era. About 280 million people are afflicted with it around the world, according to the latest statistics published by the World Health Organization (WHO). Unfortunately, many cases of depression are still unknown and have not been diagnosed, either out of ignorance of its symptoms or for fear of admitting that they have it. But If the disease persists without treatment, it will have devastating effects on the affected person himself and society, (1) so we wanted to be part of the campaign to raise awareness of depression, identify its symptoms, and help more people find the path to recovery.

Depression Symptoms

Feeling sad and down from time to time due to the circumstances you are going through in your life is normal, while depression is characterized by persistent and severe symptoms of sadness, despair, and lack of interest (anhedonia), and hinders your ability to go to work, socialize with people, and carry out your simplest daily activities in many cases.

Depression Symptoms may vary from one person to another, but in general, the more symptoms you suffer from, or the stronger their severity, or the longer they last, the more likely you are to suffer from depression. (2) Symptoms of depression include the following:

Psychological symptoms

If you are depressed, you may experience the following feelings: (3)

Feeling sad most of the time, and you feel that it never leaves you despite your many attempts to get rid of it.
Despair and frustration with everything around you, and with what is coming in the future.
Crying or wanting to cry a lot, often alone, away from others.
Feeling guilty, or that you are responsible for the mistakes in everything around you.
Lack of self-confidence.
Anhedonia or lack of interest in life and previous interests, and lack of passion.
Irritability and inability to coexist with others.
Feeling anxious and stressed most of the time.

Or you may have thoughts such as: (4)

I am worthless.
I'm a loser, and everyone is successful in their lives except me.
Nothing is worth living for in this life.
It's all my fault.
Nothing good in my life, all bad things happen only to me.
Life would be better without me.

Behavioral symptoms

If you suffer from depression, you may also exhibit the following behaviors: (4)

You don't go outside much.
You neglect your duties at work or school.
You isolate yourself and avoid gatherings of family or friends.
You don't enjoy the things you used to enjoy.
You can't concentrate well.

Physical symptoms

You may experience a range of physical symptoms, including: (3)(4)

Changes in appetite or weight, as you may notice an increase or decrease in appetite than usual.
Fatigue and lack of energy most of the time for no reason.
Generalized pain for no reason.
Headache.
Sleep problems, for example, you may sleep a lot, or suffer from insomnia.
Speak or walk slowly.
Constipation.
Loss of libido.

Suicide and self-harm

When you suffer from depression, you may have thoughts of harming yourself or even committing suicide as a way to deal with the psychological conditions you are going through, believing that it will make you feel better. Although controlling these thoughts may be difficult for you, you must remember that harming yourself or thinking of a plan to end your life will not be a solution to your problem, and you should immediately seek a psychological consultation that will help you get over these thoughts. (5)

Depression symptoms in pediatrics and adolescents

It is normal for children to experience sadness or frustration one day; Because of something annoying or bad that happened to them, but if your child’s sadness persists for a long time, or if you notice suspicious changes in his behavior and thoughts at home or school that are similar to the symptoms of depression that we mentioned previously, then he may be suffering from depression and you should consult a psychiatrist to help him before it develops. (6)

As for teenagers, they often show other signs of depression that are more common than constant sadness, including: (6)(2)

Nervousness and irritability.
Desocialization from friends and family.
Low academic performance.
Taking illegal substances and trying to hide them, such as: alcohol or drugs.
Complaining about more physical symptoms, such as: headache, abdominal pain, and others.

Symptoms of depression in geriatrics

This group suffers from physical symptoms of depression more than psychological symptoms, as the elderly person always complains of fatigue, pain of unknown cause, and memory problems. He may also neglect his physical appearance and personal hygiene, or refrain from taking his prescribed medications for the health conditions from which he suffers. (2)

Don't let depression control your life! If you are suffering from symptoms of depression or know someone who needs help, do not hesitate to visit the Psychiatry Department at Al-Ahli Hospital for more information and professional advice. We are here to help you regain your mental health and quality of life.

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