As many of us know from our own experiences, rates of depression among adult Canadians have increased over the past decade, reaching all-time highs during the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Given how common depression and its symptoms have become, it’s no surprise that you’re wondering whether you or a loved one may be suffering from this serious mental health concern.
In this article, we highlight some of the most common depression symptoms. However, it is important to remember that depression is a complex illness and that its symptoms can vary widely.
For example, depression can occur gradually or come on suddenly, and some people may experience only a few depression symptoms, while others might experience many. Research has also shown that depression can manifest differently across people of different genders, ages, and cultural backgrounds.
So while this article is a helpful starting point to learn more about what depression can look like, it is still important to talk to a trained and licensed health professional for more insight into your unique situation.
Keep reading to learn more about depression and depression symptoms.
What is depression?
Depression, also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a common but serious mental health disorder that is usually characterized by a “persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest.” It is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States.
Depression is known to have physical, psychological, and social symptoms, and can affect all areas of your life, impacting how you feel, think, and behave.
Contrary to some mistaken beliefs, depression is not a “bout of the blues” or a sign of weakness, and it is not something that you can just “snap out of.”
There are also different kinds of depression, such as postnatal depression and the depression experienced by those with bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Fortunately, depression can be treated, with treatments generally being more effective the earlier they begin.
Who experiences depression and depression symptoms?
All people can experience depression; it can occur among people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, and races.
However, women are diagnosed with depression more often than men, and studies also suggest that members of the LGBTQ+ community are at higher risk for being diagnosed with this disorder. Research also suggests that people who are racialized are more likely to be misdiagnosed or under-diagnosed when they have depression, and that they are less likely to receive adequate treatment and to experience more severe disease progression as a result.
Depression can also look different in people of different genders. Specifically, men and women have been known to experience different depression symptoms.
For example, men may demonstrate an increase in substance use or show depression symptoms other than sadness, instead seeming frequently angry or irritable. It is because men are less likely to talk about their depression symptoms and seek help for them that they are at greater risk of having their depression go undiagnosed and un- or under-treated. Fortunately, there are men’s therapists who specialize in working with male clients.
While anyone can develop depression and experience depression symptoms, research suggests that certain risk factors make some people more likely than others to develop depression. This is because genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors all play a role in depression.
For example, having a family history of depression makes you more likely to develop depression, as does experiencing serious negative life events, such as major changes, trauma, or stress.
Also, while depression can occur at any age, it often starts in adulthood, and it can co-occur with other serious medical conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, and chronic pain. Some health problems, such as thyroid disease, and medications used to treat other medical conditions can also generate side effects that contribute to depression.
The duration of depression symptoms
It is also important to remember that depression symptoms persist for weeks or months and are severe enough to hinder your work and social life. Symptoms that are less severe or fleeting may not be indicative of depression.
For example, individuals experiencing grief may find that they have what seem to be depression symptoms, but these symptoms are usually temporary and decrease in severity over time.
Common depression symptoms
In this section, we highlight some of the most common depression symptoms in adults.
While the depression symptoms that first come to mind are usually feelings of sadness and hopelessness and a loss of interest in things we used to enjoy, there are less well-known symptoms to be mindful of.
1. Feeling sad, tearful, or low for an extended period
These are some of the most common depression symptoms and the ones that we usually think of first.
People who are depressed often report feeling sad, tearful, empty, or generally low for an extended period.
2. Feeling hopeless
People with depression also frequently feel hopeless or pessimistic. They may feel like there’s no hope for them or for the world more generally, and that the things they used to care about are no longer worth fighting for. Along with these feelings, they may become more withdrawn and detached.
3. Feeling unmotivated and disinterested
Feeling unmotivated and disinterested are other common depression symptoms. People with depression may have a difficult time working up the motivation and energy to complete projects or pursue interests, and may feel disinterested in things they used to care about.
4. Experiencing intense feelings of guilt, helplessness, or low self-esteem
People experiencing depression symptoms may find that they feel worthless, helpless, or unusually guilty. Some people with depression find that they fixate on past failures or engage in self-blame.
5. Feeling irritable, angry, or agitated
Along with feeling “low” feelings, like sadness and hopelessness, people experiencing depression symptoms may find that they feel unusually irritable, angry, or agitated. They may experience angry outbursts, even over small matters, and feel generally on edge.
While this class of symptoms can be experienced by anyone, they may appear more frequently among men.
6. Feeling anxious or worried
People with depression symptoms may also find that they feel unusually anxious, worried, or restless. Their feelings may seem unexplained, or they mind themselves bothered by things that didn’t used to concern them.
7. Engaging in substance use
Substance use is a common coping mechanism, and some people experiencing depression symptoms may find the frequency and intensity of their alcohol or drug use increasing.
8. Experiencing changes in appetite or weight
Many people with depression find that their appetite decreases, and some even experience unintentional weight loss. However, some people instead experience increased food cravings and weight gain. Depression can also make it difficult for people to engage in exercise, which can contribute to weight gain.
In other words, changes in appetite and unplanned weight changes are both depression symptoms to be mindful of.
9. Experiencing difficulty concentrating
Depression symptoms include slowed thinking and difficulty thinking, concentrating, remembering things, and making decisions. For some people, this can also manifest as a feeling that the brain just can’t be “turned off” — that they can’t achieve mental rest.
10. Having unexplained aches, pains, stomach issues, or other physical symptoms
For some people, mental health conditions manifest physical symptoms, such as aches, pains, cramps, headaches, a racing heart, or digestive issues, including constipation and diarrhea. These depression symptoms usually cannot be attributed to a clear physical cause and do not go away with treatments to address the symptoms themselves.
11. Feeling unusually tired or lacking in energy
Many people experiencing depression symptoms report feeling a general sense of tiredness or a lack of energy. This can make even small tasks difficult to complete, as everything feels like it requires more effort than usual.
12. Having a low sex drive or experiencing decreased sexual performance
Because depression can cause physical symptoms, fatigue, and a loss of enjoyment in previously enjoyed activities, it is no surprise that it can also cause a decrease in sex drive or sexual performance. People with depression symptoms may find that they lose interest in normal activities such as sex, hobbies, or sports.
13. Experiencing sleep disturbances
People with depression also frequently experience sleep disturbances, such as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep (insomnia), waking up unusually early, or difficulty staying awake. People with depression may find that they are not getting enough sleep or that they are sleeping too much.
14. Decreasing participation in social activities and hobbies
It is common for people with depression symptoms to experience a decrease in their social participation. They may become withdrawn and isolate themselves from family and friends. They may also experience difficulty meeting their work or family responsibilities and may ignore other important roles in their lives.
15. Having thoughts of death, suicide, or self-harm
People with depression may find themselves thinking more often about death and dying. Because depression can make people think more negatively about themselves and the world, such as by causing feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness, and despair, they may also think about suicide and how they could end their own life. This is known as suicidal ideation.
While not every person who thinks or talks about suicide will attempt it, it is important to help anyone contemplating suicide receive immediate care. The reality is that depression can be life-threatening, so it is important to seek out immediate help for anyone you think is at risk of self-harm or harming others.
If you or someone you know is in crisis or thinking of suicide, it is important to contact local resources that service your area. Those in Canada can contact 988 for immediate risk or reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
How to treat depression
Fortunately, there are many ways to treat depression and alleviate your depression symptoms.
Typically, depression is treated with psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both methods.
Medication
The most common medications used to treat depression are known as antidepressants. Usually provided in tablet or capsule form, these medications change how the brain produces and/or uses the chemicals that help determine our mood and stress levels.
It is important to note that antidepressants take time to work. Most people don’t notice a meaningful change in their depression symptoms until around 4 to 8 weeks after starting their medication.
Psychotherapy
In general, psychotherapy should be provided by a trained, licensed mental health professional. At Blue Rabbit Therapy, we only work with qualified registered psychotherapists (RPs) and registered social workers (RSWs). Our team members are experienced in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression.
Curious about psychotherapy? Book a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our therapists.
Jess Blackwell is a freelance writer and copy editor based out of Toronto. She helps small businesses, researchers, and other authors craft compelling, enriching, and persuasive content.