The symptoms of depression vary from person to person, but there are some common signs that can be noticed. To be diagnosed with depression, these symptoms must last for at least two weeks and interfere with daily life. Symptoms of depression may include:
- Low mood - This means that a person constantly feels sad, unhappy, hopeless, guilty or lonely. The mood does not improve even when something good happens.
- Loss of interest and satisfaction – This means that the person no longer feels interest or pleasure in things that they used to like or were important to. For example, hobbies, friends, family, work, school, sports, music, movies, etc.
- Fatigue and loss of energy - this means that a person is tired, weak and dizzy all the time. He has a hard time motivating himself or taking action. Even the smallest efforts seem overwhelming.
- Concentration and memory problems - This means that the person cannot concentrate, remember or make decisions well. Has confused or slow thoughts. He may forget important things or make mistakes.
- Sleep and eating disorders - this means that a person sleeps either too much or too little. Sleep may be interrupted, restless or with nightmares. A person may lose their appetite or start eating excessively. As a result, body weight may also change.
- Decreased self-esteem and self-confidence - this means that a person has a low self-esteem, constantly criticizes himself or compares himself unfavorably with others. He feels worthless, unimportant, stupid, ugly, incompetent or bad.
- Feelings of guilt and worthlessness - this means that the person blames himself for everything that has gone wrong, even if it is not his fault. He thinks that he is a burden to others, that he does not deserve love, care or happiness. He may also feel shame or regret about his past.
- Future pessimism - this means that a person sees the future only in black colors. He doesn't believe that anything can get better, that he can solve his problems or achieve his goals. He sees no meaning or purpose in his life.
- Self-harm or suicidal thoughts or actions - this means that the person wants to hurt themselves or end their life because they see no other way out of their suffering. He may think about death, plan suicide, look for means or perform experiments.
- Irritability and restlessness - this means that the person is easily irritated, nervous, angry or anxious. He can be impatient, moody, aggressive or conflicted. He may also feel inner tension, restlessness or nervousness.
- Loss of sexual interest - this means that a person no longer feels interest in sex, does not get satisfaction or pleasure from it. He may avoid closeness or intimacy with his partner.
- Physical Ailment – This means that a person may experience various physical pains or discomforts such as headache, back pain, stomach pain, muscle pain, palpitations, difficulty breathing, nausea, dizziness, sweating, etc. These ailments are not related to any other disease.
I will give some real illustrative examples of the different manifestations of depression and its effects on different people at different stages of life and from different backgrounds.
Loss of interest:
Liina, a 35-year-old marketing manager, was once passionate about her work and enjoyed spending time with friends and family. But in recent months, he has lost interest in his work and hobbies. He often cancels meetings with friends, preferring to stay home alone. Liina feels constantly tired, her appetite has changed and she has sleep problems. He has difficulty concentrating and has a constant feeling of sadness and hopelessness. These symptoms have lasted for several weeks and make it difficult for Liina to cope with everyday life.
Academic difficulties:
Toomas is an 18-year-old high school student who was once academically successful. However, in his older age, he began to experience difficulty concentrating on his studies. He lost motivation and started skipping classes frequently. His grades plummeted, and he gave up on the activities he used to enjoy. Toomas often feels overwhelmed, has a sense of worthlessness and a constant sense of guilt and lack of self-confidence. He avoids social interactions and spends most of his time in his room, isolating himself from friends and family.
Chronic pain and depression:
Margit, a 45-year-old nurse, suffered a serious back injury in a car accident. Despite multiple surgeries and treatments, she still experiences chronic pain. Over time, Margit's physical pain has affected her mental health. She feels tired, irritable and hopeless about her recovery. Depression has made it difficult for Margit to do her daily activities and maintain relationships. He often thinks that he is a burden to his loved ones and considers stopping treatment.
