Most of us have heard of depression, know what it is, or at least know someone who suffers from it or has had it. But do we know what its symptoms are and how they can be classified?
In this article We will know the main types of symptoms in depression according to their nature These affect: mood, motivation and behavior, cognition, physiology and interpersonal relationships.
Before describing the 5 types of symptoms of depression, we are going to describe, in a generic way, what this mental disorder consists of.
Depression (“major depressive disorder” in the current DSM-5) is a mood disorder, which involves a series of symptoms (according to DSM-5 criteria, a minimum of 5 from a list). We will explain these symptoms throughout the article, but mention that It is an essential requirement that these last a minimum of 2 weeks
In addition, the person must have undergone a change in the way they function, which can be seen in their depressed mood or loss of interest in things or a decrease in pleasure or motivation.
As we will see, depression includes much more than sadness or lack of hope , as is often thought; Thus, it can also lead to feelings of rage, anger, cognitive alterations, irritability, psychophysiological symptoms, etc.
We find up to 5 types of symptoms in depression, depending on their nature, affected area (of the person or life) and characteristics. We will see them below.
1. Mood symptoms
The first group of the 5 types of symptoms in depression are mood symptoms, which affect the mood, and which are perhaps the best known These include the following.
Sadness is the central characteristic of depression. Most (although not all) people who suffer from depression feel sad
Although it is a completely normal and adaptive emotion (we are all sad from time to time), in depression this feeling appears along with others, so it is not enough to diagnose depression, logically.
1.2. Dejection
Dejection, another mood symptom in depression, is a state in which the person is immersed, characterized by loss of strength on a physical or even moral level as well as their energy or spirits.
1.3. Unhappiness
Unhappiness is also part of the emotional symptoms of depression, precisely because it has to do with the mood; translates into a feeling of not enjoying things, of not being well and, ultimately, of not be happy nor can it be.
1.4. Anxiety
Anxiety is also a very common symptom, typically associated with depression. This can manifest itself in different ways (and to different degrees), through: feeling of suffocation or overwhelm, dizziness, nausea, uncertainty, irritability stress, discomfort, stomach pains, belly aches, etc.
1.5. Vacuum sensation
Another key symptom in depression is the feeling of emptiness (which appears in other disorders, such as Borderline Personality Disorder).
It consists, as its name indicates, of feeling an internal void that is very difficult to fill; It is a sensation related to the “non-sense” of things and life added to a lack of enthusiasm for everything.
1.6. emotional anesthesia
Emotional anesthesia appears especially in severe cases of depression. It implies not feeling anything: neither joy, nor sadness, nor anger… It would be like being in a state of emotional dullness, where nothing affects us and nothing worries us. It is a really serious symptom because it prevents us from processing what happens to us.
The second of the 5 types of symptoms in depression are motivational and behavioral symptoms.
2.1. Inhibition
Inhibition translates into avoiding doing the things we used to do; is a difficulty when acting, such as when interacting with others We are as if withdrawn, closed in on ourselves.
2.2. Apathy
Apathy in depression is a lack of enthusiasm for life in general, and translates as a general state of disinterest coupled with a lack of motivation to get things done. It makes us feel indifferent to any stimulus that comes from outside. It is a very common symptom.
23. Anhedonia
Anhedonia, another very common symptom, consists of the inability to experience pleasure. It is especially noticeable in the things that before the depression did give us pleasure or satisfaction
2.4. Lack of motivation
Nothing motivates us, nothing makes sense. We have a hard time getting things done (even getting out of bed in the morning).
2.5. Psychomotor retardation
A psychomotor delay may also appear (our movements are slower : for example walking, moving in general…). Total immobility may even appear.
2.6. Agitation
Or, on the other hand, agitation may appear (a state of excitement or exaggerated nervousness).
2.7. Stupor
Characterized by mutism (not speaking) and/or paralysis Our ability to respond to stimuli decreases here.
3. Cognitive symptoms
In depression, there are usually no alterations in verbal production or comprehension, but alterations do appear in other functions.
3.1. Altered performance and formal deficits
Performance is affected by the following:
3.2. Circular and ruminative thinking
They also appear circular, ruminative and even obsessive thoughts
3.3. Alteration in content
Alterations in the content of thought are also notable, and result in:
Clarify at this point that generally the delusions that appear in depression are consistent with the mood (if they are not, the depression is even more serious).
4. Physical symptoms
People with more somatic/physical symptoms are those who seek professional help the most.
4.1. Sleeping problems
It is very difficult to sleep well when we suffer from depression Alterations appear, such as insomnia (very common), nightmares, unrefreshing sleep, etc.
4.2. Fatigue
We feel tired (even if we do nothing) and fatigued.
4.3. Increase or decrease in appetite and weight
Hunger is also almost always altered , appearing a lot of desire to eat or little desire to eat (and even zero desire). As a consequence, the weight also changes.
4.4. Decreased sexual desire
Libido (sexual desire) also decreases.
4.5. Diffuse body discomfort
Unpleasant and uncomfortable sensations in the body.
4.6. Nausea, unsteadiness, dizziness
Symptoms that we have mentioned in anxiety, which They can also appear in isolation
5. Interpersonal symptoms
Finally, the last of the 5 types of symptoms in depression are interpersonal symptoms. These predict a worse course of the disease, as well as greater chronification of the disorder.
5.1. Deterioration of social relationships
There is a deterioration in social relationships; friendships are “lost” or deteriorate
5.2. Decreased interest in people
This decrease in interest in people often ends up being bidirectional (others stop being interested in us because we are depressed).
5.3. Rejection
Finally, there may also appear a rejection towards others, or by others (towards us).
