Not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom. Some people experience a few syptoms, some many. Severity of symptoms varies with individuals and also varies over time.

Symptoms of Depression

  • Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
  • Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
  • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
  • Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
  • Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
  • Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
  • Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
  • Restlessness, irritability
  • Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain
   If you are consistently experiencing feelings of being sad, down or blue, plus some of the above symptoms for a minimum of 2 weeks, it is recommended to see a health care provider. You may be suffering from clinical depression, a medical illness.
Anxiety and depression usually go hand-in-hand. If you wish to screen yourself for an anxiety disorder and depression please click here. If you are looking for a mental health professional in your area click here.