“Do I Have Depression?” Five Signs to Help You Find Out

“Do I have depression?” 

It’s a question that many people ask, particularly because of the plethora of phrases and situations we hear and see regarding the condition today.

“That is so depressing.” “I am so depressed.” Being depressed is a common theme. The term is slung casually throughout our conversations and everyday lives. It is a common theme in TV shows, following a breakup, traumatic event, or even when in light, comedic settings. Even some cartoon characters may come to mind when you think of depression.

Take a second and consider a character from your favorite television show. What makes you think of them as having depression? Are they depressed? Or are they just sad? What are the causes? Is it situational? Is something going on internally?

The answer is that it can be different for each individual. For some, depression is a genetic disorder that has an obvious biological component. For others, depressive symptoms may have a sudden onset due to a specific, acute circumstance or an ongoing situation in his or her life. Sadness can seem like depression, but may not meet clinical criteria, or may be related to a separate type of disorder. Because depression can vary in its presentation, it can be difficult to know whether you are dealing with this specific mental health issue or something else.

Though the term depression is constantly used, not everyone knows what depression truly is and what qualifies as depression. Depression is one of the most common mental health issues. Characterized by an all-encompassing sense of sadness, depression can be very obvious in some cases. However, not everyone with depression is going to present with the same symptoms.

Depression is present in an estimated 6.7% of adults (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2015). It is most common in women and individuals between the ages of 18-25 (NIMH, 2015). Depression can present among any racial group, though it does vary in prevalence. Typical onset is in one’s early thirties (Anxiety and Depression Association of America [ADAA], 2016).

Depression can vary and may have many nuances in presentation. It can occur in people of different socioeconomic statuses, people of different ages, and individuals of any level of education. It can also vary by season!

Because depression is not limited to specific demographics, it is a common mental health issue. However, it can also be difficult to diagnose properly. To be sure what you are experiencing is depression, it is recommended that you seek care from a medical doctor to ensure there is not a health-related cause that requires medical care. Many physicians will refer from this point to a mental health professional for further diagnostic work and treatment.

Though a specific diagnosis requires further assessment by a professional, here are some common indicators that may shed light on your current functioning.

Common Signs of Depression in Adults

1. Emotional Changes

One of the most noticeable first signs of depression are changes in your emotional functioning. Mood swings may become an issue for you or may become more common. You may begin feeling more irritable, or just plain angry, more days out of the month. An increased sense of restlessness or tension is also common.

You might notice increased feelings of guilt about things that have occurred in the past or ongoing issues that you may feel are your fault. You might also find that you have an increased or sudden onset of thoughts of death or dying. Things suddenly feel hopeless. You might even feel completely worthless. You may begin crying more often than is typical for you, and having crying spells on days when everything would normally feel just fine. These symptoms can feel quite alarming and distressing. They can also feel so very far out of your control and inherently overwhelming. Anxiety can also go hand-in-hand with depression.

Some things you might notice yourself saying:

“My family would be better off without me.”

“Nothing is ever going to get better.”

“It’s all my fault.”

2. Loss of Interest

It is common for people who are experiencing depression to experience an increased or complete loss of interest. This can include becoming less interested in things you normally love, or not wanting to do them at all. You may lack the energy to start that project you’ve been excited about for months. Your normal Friday night activity just may not hold the same allure anymore. You may struggle with feeling like you lack the motivation to make changes that you need to in your life. Meeting your goals may feel impossible. An increase in difficulties with concentrating on necessary tasks or things you enjoy may occur. You may find yourself withdrawing from social activities, even those you normally find exciting. You may begin to avoid going out at all. Even trips to the grocery store may begin to seem like they are simply too much to take on in your current state.

New experiences you might normally look forward to undertaking may become sources of stress. It is common for individuals to experience loss of interest in relationships, seeming despondent to their spouses. Libido is another area of your life that may take a hit. You may either feel like you are not worth your significant other’s time, like you are ruining his or her life, or you may simply not have the energy to keep up the work that is needed to maintain a relationship. Your life and normal activities may feel too overwhelming. You may not have the energy to remain an active participant.

Things you might notice yourself saying:

“I know we always go bowling, I just don’t think I can swing it this week.”

“Honey, can we please try going out another time? I’m just not feeling up to it tonight.”

“Even though I normally do, I just can’t keep up with my work, and I don’t even know if I care.”

3. Weight Changes

Though it is surprising to many, weight changes are another symptom of depression. It is common in times of stress for individuals to have changes in appetite. These usually vary by the individual – some individuals tend to eat more, some eat less, and some feel they can’t eat at all. Individuals who experience depression and the symptoms that go along with it may notice the same thing. It is very likely that depression will bring about either increased or decreased appetite. These changes in appetite can ultimately cause weight changes. In individuals who experience depression on an ongoing basis, difficulty maintaining a healthy weight is frequently an issue.

Things you might notice yourself saying:

“I haven’t felt like eating in days.”

“I find myself crying and then when I stop crying, I just feel like eating. It makes me feel better.”

“My weight seems to fluctuate based on how I’m feeling.”

4. Sleep Changes

Sleep changes are another common issue amongst individuals struggling with depression. You may notice that you struggle to fall asleep, either with your mind feeling blank or busy with swirling, dizzying thoughts. You may struggle to fall asleep and then struggle to stay asleep, experiencing restless, interrupted sleep patterns. This can be immensely frustrating and lead to a cycle that includes more naps and less typical sleep during the night hours.

Another change you may notice is a constant, drowsy feeling that goes along with the lack of energy and motivation. You may feel consistently exhausted but unable to sleep. Conversely, you may sleep all the time! You may experience hypersomnalence and still struggle with feeling sleepy during the day. It isn’t uncommon for individuals with depression to experience abnormal sleep patterns that vary frequently.

Things you might notice yourself saying:

“It has been the weirdest thing. I’ve been sleeping 10-12 hours a night and I still wake up sleepy!”

“I’m up all night. I don’t know what’s waking me up, but I keep finding myself awake for random hours during the night.”

“I just can’t fall asleep. I feel numb. I’m exhausted, but I can’t seem to fall asleep.”

5. Physical Changes

Another common sign of depression can be noted physically. Physical changes can include changes in your health, changes in your perception of yourself and your own health, and in how you process information on a cognitive level. Individuals with depression typically notice an increase in issues such as headaches, stomach pain, and digestive issues. Issues such as jaw clenching and hand wringing can create pain.

Some individuals may already have health issues and/or chronic pain issues that contribute to depression. However, depression can conversely create a situation in which some health issues become more common. Individuals with depression may feel they are just ‘slower’ than normal. They may feel like they are moving slowly, speaking slowly, and experiencing slowed cognition. Memory changes can also occur.

Things you might notice yourself saying:

“I just feel like staying in all the time. These headaches seem constant in the last month or so.”

“I feel like I just can’t pick up speed lately. I’m just not my usual self.”

“I keep needing to stay home from work with stomach cramps. I just can’t make myself go in like this.”

Christian Counseling Can Help Depression Sufferers

Depression is a common mental health issue. In fact, the rates of diagnosing go up year by year. However, many individuals with depressive symptoms never receive a diagnosis. Further, even those with a diagnosis do not always seek treatment.

You don’t have to feel this way. If you are reading this and you are concerned that you have one or more of these changes in functioning, health, or lifestyle, it is important that you seek treatment to determine the underlying cause. Many different issues can cause symptoms like these and it is important to hammer out what is causing the changes you are experiencing. Many of the counselors with Seattle Christian Counseling work frequently with clients who struggle with depression. Give us a call and we can meet with you today to help you reach the path to regaining functioning and enjoying your life once again.