Symptoms of Depression

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS

SHORT TERM MEMORY LOSS / CONCENTRATION DIFFICULTIES

This can occur because the mind is occupied by negative thoughts or worries. As such, it can be very difficult to concentrate on anything as worrying can have a distracting effect on the memory. Not being able to concentrate can subsequently result in feelings of confusion and indecision.

WEIGHT LOSS / WEIGHT GAIN

Depression can cause loss of appetite or eating overeating – or ‘comfort eating’ as it is commonly known. The result can be loss of weight even though a specific diet is not being followed or gaining weight. Both can contribute to more severe depression in some cases, as this can become a vicious circle.

SLEEP DISTURBANCE

Around 80% of people suffering from depression tend to also have problems sleeping. Most commonly this is lack of sleep and will result in feeling tired and unrefreshed the next day. In rare cases, depression sufferers sleep more than usual. Disturbed sleep can be a cause of immense distress and will typically involve waking early, upsetting dreams and waking frequently throughout the night.

EXHAUSTION / ENERGY LOSS

Feeling tired can be linked to loss of sleep but can also be because of feelings of apathy. This can make even the simplest tasks seem difficult and everything can feel like an effort.

CONSTIPATION

Constipation is a physical result of depression, mainly due to the fact that bodily functions can sometimes seize up and normal patterns are affected.

IRREGULAR PERIODS

Another physical symptom that can be affected for women is their monthly cycle. Some women experience irregular periods and in severe cases, periods can cease altogether. (Please also see the section on ‘Women and Depression’).

ACHES AND PAINS

Other physical symptoms can be a variety of reactions such as sweating, shaking, breathlessness and palpitations. This is for the same reason that the body is unable to act normally and can respond in different ways.

DELUSIONS / HALLUCINATIONS

In severe cases of depression, the sufferer can suffer from delusional feelings and or hallucinations and can effectively appear to have lost touch with reality. This type of reaction is serious and will need to be treated immediately.

LOSS OF INTEREST IN SEX

This can be caused by people feeling negative about themselves or because they feel ‘emotionally numb’. Both men and women can suffer from this and are often unable to say why but just generally feel a lack of interest. Again, this is an example of psychological feelings leading to physical problems.

BEHAVIOURAL SYMPTOMS

LOSS OF MOTIVATION

Loss of motivation can affect the behaviour of depression sufferers. This will impact different areas of life such as washing and cleaning but also can affect someone’s ability to do their job well or to even find a reason to go into work at all. This can obviously have more serious consequences as people will often not be able to pinpoint exactly what it is about their job that leaves them feeling tired and unable to summon up the energy to motivate themselves.

DIFFICULTY SETTING GOALS

Similarly, if someone is finding it hard to see a positive future for themselves, it can be exceptionally difficult to set goals of any kind, even when it comes to finishing a particular task. This can result in feelings of loss of control and structure in life, with many tasks around the house or at work or school unfinished.

SOLVING PROBLEMS

This is another area which can present a problem to depression sufferers as any small thing can feel like a problem – with no apparent solution in sight. This makes an unclear mind feel even more confused and can heighten already present feelings of failure.

DIFFICULTY THINKING CLEARLY / MAKING DECISIONS

The inability to think clearly can affect people in different ways – as mentioned with problem solving, a muddled brain cannot view situations objectively. This can render a sufferer incapable of making a decision, even over the smallest issue such as what to drink for example.

SHYING AWAY FROM SOCIAL SITUATIONS / SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL

Social activity can seem very unappealing if someone is not feeling very confident or very happy. This can make social situations difficult and the effort of socialising and interacting with other people can be too much to contemplate. In more serious cases, depression can make someone completely withdraw from society and retreat into themselves.

EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS

APATHY

Apathy can be a typical feeling during depression. This affects the ability to do day to day tasks and even the things that are usually enjoyable. This can lead to feelings of indecision and demotivation, rendering the sufferer unable to complete things or experience any feelings of excitement over anything.

GUILT

Guilt over a particular issue can cause someone to worry excessively and torment themselves that they should have taken different action perhaps. Worry can cause stress and tension and all of these factors combined can be a feature of depression and can certainly exacerbate it.

LOSS OF SELF CONFIDENCE

Loss of self confidence or self esteem can be linked to loss which is explained in more detail in the section ‘Possible causes of Depression’. This can be due to different types of loss, illness or perhaps a destructive relationship as examples. Levels of self confidence and self esteem can have a significant effect on general well-being, hence the link to depression. (Please also refer to the ‘Self Esteem’ section on this website).

FEELINGS OF HOPELESSNESS

Feelings of hopelessness can occur in different situations but can have a devastating effect psychologically. If someone cannot see a future for themselves and there is no perceived ‘light at the end of the tunnel’, this can make someone feel desperate and alone. Again, these kinds of emotions can make someone suffering from depression sink further down and feel as if they have nothing positive in their lives.

EXCESSIVE / UNREALISTIC FEAR

Fear over a specific issue can cause anxiety. This could be fear relating to starting a new job for example or worry over losing a partner. These fears can be real and then become exaggerated –or can simply be completely unsubstantiated and unrealistic. Nevertheless, they will feel very real to the sufferer.

FEELING WORTHLESS

Feeling worthless can be a result of a specific life event such as being made redundant or becoming ill or incapacitated and it can also be related to loss of self esteem and confidence.

FEELING SAD / MISERABLE

Feeling sad, miserable or emotional can be an ongoing feeling for depression sufferers. This is more than a one off reaction to certain circumstances – for those suffering from depression this is a general, day to day state. Someone may feel emotional and tearful but unable to say why exactly. This is how depression can be distinguished from an isolated period of sadness in response to a situation.

BROODING ABOUT THE PAST

Like guilt, brooding about the past and focusing on past mistakes can be part of depression. This tends to be related to regretting incidents in life and focusing on the more negative aspects of life in general.

FEELING PESSIMISTIC

If someone is suffering from depression, it can be difficult to be positive and can certainly lead to pessimistic thoughts. This can be on a day to day level but can also relate to the future as it can be hard to see anything beneficial or positive on the horizon.

LOSS OF INTEREST IN THINGS YOU ENJOY

Some depression sufferers find it hard to enjoy the things they used to love. This is mainly caused by apathy that is a common feature of depression and also lack of energy can contribute to this. Even the more enjoyable aspects of life can seem very unappealing and too much of an effort.

LACK OF CONTROL

Control can be a key feature which can lead to feelings of helplessness. This can perpetuate depression as it can be hard to see how any control can be regained and how any positive changes can be made to improve the situation.

EXCESSIVE SELF CRITICISM

As a result of low self esteem, people will often find that they cannot help but find fault with themselves and their lives. Achievements are belittled, successes played down and put down to luck. Every aspect of life can be magnified and examined negatively, resulting in feelings of self loathing and worthlessness.

SUICIDAL THOUGHTS

In severe cases of depression, sufferers can experience suicidal thoughts. The present feels awful and the future seems even worse. Some people can feel that life is simply not worth living and that they should take their own lives. If you are feeling this way, you are not alone and you need help urgently. Please remember that depression can be treated.

For immediate assistance, please call the Samaritians on Tel 08457 90 90 90

Your GP will be able to assist with medication if necessary. Please also see the Section entitled ‘Suicide and Depression’ for more details.