Depression often creeps into our lives unnoticed until the demands of everyday life become too much. It is difficult to assess your own condition: “Is this just sadness, is it normal? Has feeling down become a way of life? Some people have a harder life than me – am I just weak? Is it worth the effort, maybe it will just go away with time?”
But how much time is too much time? There is a way to find your way around the world of emotions, and there are certain criteria for diagnosing depression. Below you will find detailed explanations of the symptoms of depression, its expected duration and forms of progression according to international guidelines. Please do not use this information as a substitute for professional help and treatment.
Emotional changes
In the early stages of depression, those affected usually notice a decline in their enjoyment of life, which is often accompanied by sadness and grief. Their sense of humour also diminishes – they understand a joke but don’t find it funny. People suffering from depression report that they often start crying uncontrollably, while others feel like they want to cry but can’t. Those affected also report a deep sense of losing the meaning of life and suicidal thoughts. The feeling of connection with family and friends is reduced, and religious people may experience a loss of faith.
Cognitive changes
Cognitive changes in depression can include feelings of self-loathing and overestimating everyday problems. Loss of self-confidence is particularly evident when people are asked to compare themselves to others. People with depression often feel that others are talking about them behind their backs and making disrespectful comments.
Religious individuals may think that they are sinful and unworthy. A lack of self-confidence or disturbed thought processes can make it difficult to make decisions. Severe depression leads to feelings of guilt and worthlessness. This is usually accompanied by suicidal thoughts and indifferent, pessimistic ideas.
Changes in motivation
Low energy levels, fatigue, apathy, inability to concentrate: the secondary symptoms of low mood are very common in depressive states, especially after an infectious disease. People suffering from depression usually avoid taking on responsibility and difficult tasks because they find their work boring or are not confident that they can cope with the tasks. Due to this lack of initiative, depressed people are quickly perceived as needing help and support – as incapable of coping with simple everyday tasks. However, these are symptoms of an illness.
Neurovegetative symptoms
These include changes in appetite, weight loss/gain, sleep, sexual arousal, energy levels and posture. The depressive state can change the way a person speaks, walks or sits. In mild forms of depression, excessive appetite and weight gain are just as common as weight loss and loss of appetite. However, the latter symptoms are more common in more severe forms of depression.
Sexual interest and sexual function may also decrease. Those affected have trouble falling asleep and sleep itself is not restful. The morning hours are reported to be the most difficult and are accompanied by severe mood swings.
Below is a list of symptoms of depression (according to DSM-V – used by the American Psychological Association):
1. Depressed mood based on self-report or observation by others
2. Loss of interest or pleasure
3. Fatigue/loss of energy
4. Feelings of worthlessness/excessive or inappropriate guilt
5. Recurring thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts or actual suicide attempts
6. Reduced ability to think/concentrate or indecisiveness
7. Psychomotor agitation or retardation
8. Insomnia/hypersomnia
9. Significant appetite and/or weight loss
Self-test: Do I have depression?