Depression affects people in different ways. This can be numbness or emptiness where you don’t feel happy, sad, or angry.
Sometimes depression can feel like irritation or frustration. A small problem suddenly feels big.
Sometimes you may lose enjoyment in things that usually make you happy. You may feel like there is nothing to look forward to.
Depression can look like:
- not getting things done at work or school
- not going out anymore
- unable to concentrate
- withdrawing from close family and friends
- not doing ordinary enjoyable activities
- reliance on alcohol and sedatives
Depression can make you feel: irritable or frustrated, overwhelmed or indecisive, miserable or sad, unhappy or disappointed, guilty, lacking in confidence.
The symptoms of depression tend to be more widespread, severe, and debilitating for non-white individuals, who are more likely to be under-diagnosed or misdiagnosed when they have depression. Many don’t get treated for the condition, and their symptoms grow even more intense Trusted Source as they get older.
The following signs indicate it’s time to see a mental health professional.
Loss of Interest
Depression can take away the fun or enjoyment of things that people enjoy. Loss of interest or withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities — sports, hobbies, traveling — are often signs of major depression. In 2020, 90% of people who identified with more than one race reported depressive symptoms to Mental Health America.
Loss of interest in sex often occurs. Symptoms of major depression include reduced sex drive and even impotence.
Hopeless Outlook
People who are depressed often experience feelings of hopelessness, although this is not the same across all races and ethnicities.
Sometimes people who are depressed feel they are worthless. Some people living with depression also experience inappropriate guilt. They may often think, “It’s all my fault,” or “What’s the point?”
Loneliness and isolation are one of the top 3 reasons people describe themselves as having poor mental health,
Anxiety
Depression and anxiety frequently occur together. Symptoms of anxiety may include:
- feelings of danger, panic, or dread
- nervousness, restlessness, or a sense of tension
- increased or heavy sweating
- rapid heart rate
- rapid breathing
- trouble focusing or thinking clearly about anything other than one central preoccupation
- trembling or muscle twitching
Increased Fatigue and Sleep Problems
One of the reasons people living with depression stop doing the things they enjoy is because they feel extremely tired. Depression is often accompanied by a lack of energy and an overwhelming feeling of tiredness, which can be one of the most debilitating symptoms. This can lead to excessive sleep.
Depression is also linked to insomnia, and the two can affect each other. Lack of good sleep can cause anxiety.
Looking at death
Depression sometimes leads to suicide. Those who die by suicide usually show signs of depression or mental health problems first. Often people will talk about it or make the first attempt before ending their life. When someone is at risk of harming themselves or hurting others, those around them should:
- Call 911 or local emergency numbers.
- Stay with the person until help arrives.
- Put away guns, knives, drugs, or other dangerous objects.
- Listen, but don’t judge, argue, threaten, or shout
