Depression Symptoms: An Overview
In cases of clinical depression, symptoms range from emotional to physical. Clinical depression is also called major depression or major depressive disorder. However, signs of depression may vary, depending on different forms of the disease, including:
- Bipolar disorder
- Dysthymia (long-term, milder symptoms of depression)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Postpartum depression
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
While some symptoms of depression are universal, such as depressed mood and loss of interest, specific conditions have characteristic depression symptoms. For example, PTSD sufferers often experience a symptom of depression involving flashbacks or nightmares. On the other hand, with postpartum depression, symptoms occur after childbirth, making it difficult to bond with your baby.
If you are experiencing emotional or physical signs of depression, a doctor or mental health professional can help to make a diagnosis and advise you on how to treat your symptoms.
Mental and Emotional Symptoms of Depression
Those who suffer from this condition may experience the following emotional symptoms of depression:
- Depressed mood
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feelings of guilt or hopelessness
- Loss of interest
- Thoughts of self-injury.
These emotional signs of depression can affect behavior as well; people who experience symptoms of depression may withdraw socially, or have trouble initiating activities. Changes in mood or behavior are usually due to an imbalance of hormones and neurotransmitters. A combination of several of these emotional symptoms may indicate depression.
Physical Symptoms of Depression
Though this condition is usually characterized as mental or emotional, physical depression symptoms appear as well. The same neurotransmitters and hormones that regulate emotions also affect pain sensations, causing physical signs of depression. Individuals with depression may experience fatigue as a symptom of depression, as well as chronic aches and pains in the:
- Back
- Joints
- Stomach/gastrointestinal system.
Physical pain may contribute to, or even worsen emotional depression symptoms, such as a reduced desire to participate in activities that were once enjoyable. A symptom of depression, such as a change in sleep or appetite, may also have physical repercussions. If you feel you may be suffering from depression symptoms, speak with your doctor.
What Causes Symptoms of Depression?
Depression is a multi-factorial disorder. This means that almost any symptom of depression is caused and influenced by:
- Biological factors (neurotransmitter and hormone function)
- Environmental factors
- Genetics.
These factors account for variability in how different people experience each symptom of depression. Although signs of depression typically appear in the late 20s, symptoms can surface at any time. Depression symptoms can be chronic or short-lived, and severity varies from person to person. However, regardless of each person’s signs of depression, many treatment options can aid in symptom management.
Resources
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2008). Depression self-assessment. Retrieved May 6, 2010, from the Mayo Clinic website: www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/MH00103_D.
National Institute of Mental Health Staff. (n.d.). Depression. Retrieved May 6, 2010, from the National Institute of Mental Health website: www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/complete-index.shtml#pub2.
Trivedi, M. (2004). The link between depression and physical symptoms. Retrieved May 6, 2010, from the Pub Med Central website: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC486942/.