What It Looks Like:

Depression

 

Common Signs & Symptoms of Depression:

  • Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness

  • Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters

  • Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports

  • Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much

  • Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort

  • Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain

  • Anxiety, agitation or restlessness

  • Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements

  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame

  • Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things

  • Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide

  • Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

Common Diagnoses That Fall Under the Umbrella of Depression:

Major Depressive Disorder: This is the most common form of depression. Those struggling with major depression experience several of the above symptoms most days, to a degree that clearly affects their day-to-day lives. These symptoms persist for at least two weeks and are generally not related to specific life stressors (loss of a job, death of a loved one, etc.).

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia): This form of depression includes milder versions of the same symptoms described in Major Depressive Disorder. These symptoms are still present most of the time, but they are less severe and those struggling with chronic depression may be able to hide these symptoms from most people in their lives.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is characterized by the onset of a depressive illness during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. The depression generally lifts during spring and summer. SAD may be effectively treated with light therapy, but nearly half will need additional types of therapy.

Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar Disorder is characterized by dramatic mood swings from overly “high” and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: Also known as PMDD, this form of depression is an extension of PMS. Its occurrence is linked to a woman’s menstrual cycle and usually involves the onset of depressive symptoms about seven to 10 days before the start of a menstrual period.                                                                                   

Other Specified Depressive Disorder: Meeting some, but not all, criteria for a depression diagnosis.