Major depression is a mood disorder that globally affects each and every vital aspect of the person who suffers from it: whether cognitive, emotional or physical.
This 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 “off 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 go to a mental health specialist as soon as possible, it is important to recognize the most common symptoms of depression, and below we will give you the key ideas to achieve it. Of course, remember that the diagnosis can only be made by mental health professionals.
Keys to recognizing the symptoms of major depression
Broadly speaking, it can be said that major depression is characterized by a pattern of appearance of emotions associated with apathy and hopelessness, and not exclusively to sadness. In fact, many people are surprised to learn that many people 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 emotional level.
That is to say, part of the problem of depression, especially in moderate and severe cases, is that the person does not feel motivated enough to change their situation. Hence it predominates the feeling that “nothing matters” and that, as a consequence, one’s own life has no value (hence suicidal ideation is often a constant in the daily lives of people with depression).
So, when it comes to becoming sensitive to this mental disorder and knowing how to detect its symptoms, keep these ideas:
Given these keys, let’s look at the main symptoms of depression in a little more detail.
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 they did before, which is why they usually stop doing some activities, 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 not able to feel any emotion, neither positive nor negative.
Although depression is generally seen as associated with sadness and the desire to cry, many people who have this problem experience this feeling of emptiness, which can affect psychologically just as much or more.
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 often has a devastating psychological effect on your mental health.
4. Lack of energy
The lack of energy when carrying out any activity that interests us is another unequivocal sign that we are facing a mental health problem.
This can also manifest as generalized tiredness throughout the day, such as slowness when speaking or reasoning such as lack of coordination or apathy.
In this regard, it is also worth highlighting the loss of appetite, which is often one of the most frequent symptoms in cases of depression.
5. Loss of interest
Likewise, this lack of energy also usually leads, as indicated, a sudden loss of interest in those activities that we previously carried out during our leisure moments.
These types of activities tend to be favorite hobbies, physical activity, sports, and even sexual encounters.
6. Affectation of cognitive functions
Some psychological disorders such as anxiety or depression can significantly alter the person’s cognitive functions, making them less fluid.
Some of these functions are attention, memory, reasoning, creativity, decision making and even the ability to communicate.
Related article: “Cognition: definition, main processes and operation”
7. Recurring disturbing thoughts
Usually, people who have cases of depression tend to have very negative recurring thoughts associated with topics such as death, illness or suicide.
These types of thoughts appear throughout the day and contribute to increasing psychological discomfort. the sadness and suffering of the person.
Depression can also affect a person’s sleeping habits and this manifests itself in insomnia or also in an increase in the hours of sleep.
In any case, it is evident that in cases of depression the person is affected in all aspects of their daily life, including sleep.
You may be interested: “Insomnia: how it impacts our health”
9. Irritability
Irritability is another of the most common symptoms presented by people with depression, especially those who are younger, that is, children and adolescents.
This manifests itself in outbursts of anger, bad mood, conflict and in a tendency to get angry easily over anything of little importance with friends and relatives.
10. Physical symptoms
The psychological discomfort associated with major depression is also usually accompanied by a series of very specific and common physical manifestations.
Some of these physical symptoms are back pain or headaches. , 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 want to start treatment for depression or another mood disorder, contact our team of professionals.
In CITA Clinics We intervene from both psychological therapy and psychiatry, serving adults and adolescents. You will find us in Barcelona and in Dosrius (Mataró).
I’m Emily Williams Jones, a psychologist specializing in mental health with a focus on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness. With a Ph.D. in psychology, my career has spanned research, clinical practice and private counseling. I’m dedicated to helping individuals overcome anxiety, depression and trauma by offering a personalized, evidence-based approach that combines the latest research with compassionate care.
