Clinical Depression Symptoms and Sub-Types

Clinical Depression Symptoms and Sub-Types Depression Symptoms Print Symptoms of Clinical Depression By Nancy Schimelpfening Nancy Schimelpfening, MS is the administrator for the non-profit depression support group Depression Sanctuary. Nancy has a lifetime of experience with depression, experiencing firsthand how devastating this illness can be. Learn about our editorial policy Nancy Schimelpfening Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on February 16, 2020 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD on February 16, 2020 Depression Overview Types Symptoms Causes & Risk Factors Diagnosis Treatment Coping ADA & Your Rights Depression in Kids Gravity Images/ Getty Images In This Article Table of Contents Expand Signs & Symptoms Complications & Comorbidities Common Myths or Misconceptions View All While only a qualified medical or mental health provider can diagnose depression, there are certain warning signs that can help you identify whether you  or someone you care about may be depressed. The symptoms of depression may be different in different people. So while one person may struggle to get out of bed, someone else might be able to go to work every day without co-workers noticing anything unusual. And sometimes symptoms that look like depression arent really depression. Substance use issues, medical problems, medication side effects, or other mental health conditions may produce symptoms that look similar to depression.   Signs Symptoms The  DSM-5  recognizes several different types of depressive disorders. The two most common types include major depressive disorder (MDD) and  persistent depressive disorder (PDD). If you recognize signs that you or someone you may know be depressed, professional help may be warranted. Depression is very treatable with medication, talk therapy, or a combination of the two playing an instrumental role in reducing the following depressive symptoms. Verywell / Joshua Seong Low Mood Depressed mood is consistent with both major depression and persistent depressive disorder. In major depression, a person must feel depressed most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report or observations made by others. Children or adolescents, on the other hand, may appear more irritable than sad. A person with a depressed mood may report feeling sad or empty, or may cry frequently. Having a low mood is one of the two core symptoms which is used to diagnose depression.     People with persistent depressive disorder experience a depressed mood more days than not for at least two years. As with MDD, children may appear more irritable than depressed but for a PDD diagnosis, they must experience it more days than not for at least one year. It may be chronic and less severe than a full-blown major depression, but could also represent symptoms of a major depression that have persisted for more than two years. Decreased Interest or Pleasure The second core symptom of major depressive disorder is a decreased interest or pleasure in things that were once enjoyed. A person exhibiting this symptom will show markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, daily activities such as favorite hobbies or sports or even sex. Changes in Appetite Significant changes in weight (a gain or loss of 5% or more in a month) while not attempting to gain or lose  may be indicative of MDD. In children, changes in appetite may also present as a failure to make expected weight gains. Persistent depressive disorder may involve a poor appetite or overeating but there may not be the same marked change in weight that is present in MDD. Sleep Disturbances Sleep disturbances including difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, feeling sleepy despite a full nights rest, or daytime sleepiness can indicate either MDD or PDD.   Psychomotor Agitation or Retardation Agitation, restlessness, or lethargy that affects a persons daily routine, behavior, or appearance is a symptom of MDD. ?These symptoms can be evident in  body movements, speech, and reaction time and must be observable by others.   Fatigue A loss of energy and chronic feelings of fatigue can be symptoms of both persistent depressive disorder and major depressive disorder. Feeling tired most of the time can interfere with a persons ability to function normally.   Feelings of Worthlessness or Guilt Excessive, inappropriate guilt, and feelings of worthlessness are common symptoms of major depressive disorder. The feelings of guilt may be so severe that the person becomes delusional.   Difficulty Concentrating Both major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder involve difficulty concentrating and making decisions. People with depression may recognize this in themselves or others around them may notice that theyre struggling to think clearly.   Recurrent Thoughts of Death Recurrent thoughts of death that go beyond the fear of dying are associated with major depressive disorder. An individual with major depression may think about suicide, make a suicide attempt, or create a specific plan to kill themselves.   Suicide Risk Warnings If you or someone you care about is thinking about suicide, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 at any time of the day. A trained crisis counselor will offer you support and guide you to more resources to get the help you need for yourself or a loved one. Suicide Warning Signs and Risk Factors Complications Comorbidities Clinical depression is one of the most common complications reported by people with chronic diseases and conditions, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and arthritis. Often, the illness triggers depression, especially in people who are biologically vulnerable to the disorder.   Its not uncommon for people with depression to live with two disorders or illnesses at once. This is known as a comorbidity. For instance, someone with chronic pain may become depressed (and vice versa). Similarly, substance use disorders and depression often coexist. For example, someone with depression may turn to alcohol to self-medicate and alcohol use disorder can also cause someone to experience symptoms of depression. While neither condition actually causes the other, they do often coexist and one condition can exacerbate the symptoms of the other. The following are some common co-occurring conditions in people with clinical depression: Anxiety disordersAttention deficient and hyperactivity disorder  (ADHD)Autism spectrum disordersChronic painEating disorders  and  body dysmorphiaFibromyalgia  MigrainesMultiple sclerosis (MS)Irritable bowel syndrome  (IBS)Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)PhobiasPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Sleep disordersSubstance use disorders Most Common Types of Depression Common Myths or Misconceptions Despite ongoing efforts by researchers, medical professionals, and patients, stigma continues to be a reality for people living with depression. This is partly because of the many damaging myths that exist. These misconceptions can prevent someone from recognizing the signs and symptoms of depression or from getting the help they need. Here we debunk some common depression myths. You Can Get Over It Being diagnosed with depression does not mean that you are being crazy or weakâ€"nor is it your fault or something you can simply snap out of on your own. Depression is caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters (mood-regulating chemicals) in your brain. Just like people diagnosed with diabetes can’t will their pancreas to produce more insulin, you can’t “try harder” to overcome depression. It’s a real disease that requires proper treatment.   Depression Only Causes Mental Symptoms Depression symptoms certainly include mental symptoms like sadness, anxiety, irritability, and hopelessness, but physical symptoms are also a reality for people living with depression. This can include fatigue, body aches, headaches, and digestive troubles.   An Overview of Psychosomatic Illness Only Women Get Depressed Depression can occur in people of any race, ethnic, or economic group, and at any age. Women are almost twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression, but the jury is still out on how much of this is due to women reporting and seeking treatment more often than men. Children and adolescents can also be at risk for depression. Unfortunately, many  children with depression go untreated  because adults dont recognize the warning signs, which are often different for children compared to adults. Depression Is Untreatable Although depression can make you feel hopeless, there is hope for those who seek a diagnosis and comply with treatment. In fact, depression is one of the most treatable types of mental illness, with 80% to 90% percent of people responding to treatment. Whats more, treatment doesnt just involve taking medication for the rest of your life. Therapy and lifestyle modifications also play a key role in managing symptoms and preventing relapse. Causes and Risk Factors of Depression