What are the Symptoms of Depression?
by Amber Dalsin, M.Sc., C.Psych.
Maybe you’ve been feeling a lack of motivation to do things you enjoy, you’re feeling low, and it’s like you’re dragging your feet through mud…
…but is that depression? Don’t you have to be sad? Keep reading to find out.
Approximately 5% of Canadians and Americans over the age of 15 have met the criteria for major depressive disorder in the last year.
In this blog, I will cover the symptoms of depression.
It’s Not Just Ups and Downs
Many go through ups and downs and erroneously call the downs depression. In clinical depression or major depressive disorder, your mood is sad or low, or you might experience a lack of interest or pleasure in the things you used to enjoy.
The low mood or lack of interest has to be present at least 50% of the time over a 2 week period.
Changes in Eating
Staring at a plate full of food with no desire to eat it is common for some. Whereas for others they feel like an endless pit craving sweets and carbohydrate-rich foods. The change in eating leads to a 5% change in weight over the last month.
Sleep is Impacted
People with depression often have a hard time falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting a night of restful sleep. Others may experience hypersomnia where they sleep for much longer than they plan.
Negative Feelings
Depression makes people believe they are worthless, useless and leaves them feeling guilty. Usually, people also feel tired, slowed down, restless or agitated.
Suicidal Thinking
Thinking of death, or wishing you were better off dead is a typical symptom of depression. Action should be taken if the thoughts turn into plans or intentions to end your life. If ever experiencing strong urges or intentions dial 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.
Getting Help
If you would like to find out if you have clinical depression, seek out a trained professional in your area for an assessment. You don’t need to have all of these symptoms to have depression, but you need to have some of them.
Getting help early is one of the strongest and bravest things you can do when you feel depression taking hold. Depression or societal stigma might say getting help is weak, but that’s wrong. It takes a brave, and strong person to be vulnerable and ask for help. Seek out resources in your local area for help.
This blog is not meant to be a substitute for couples therapy or relationship counselling. This should not be construed as specific advice. See a relationship therapist in your area to address your specific problems.