Depression is sometimes referred to in different ways, such as “the blues” or “being in a funk.” Everyone experiences “down” days, but how do you know if what you are experiencing is depression? In this blog, we will take a look at symptoms of depression in adults.
Common Symptoms of Depression in Adults
- Crying Spells
- Ruminative Negative Thoughts
- Feelings of Sadness
- Feelings of Worthlessness
- Irritability
- Sleep Disturbance (i.g., sleeping too much or too little)
- Muscle Tension
- Appetite Disturbance
- Potential Alcohol or Drug Abuse (as a means of coping)
- Self-Imposed, Over Isolation
- Chronic Fatigue
- Suicidal Thoughts or Thoughts of Self-Harm
Understanding When Symptoms May Indicate Depression
Depression is measured by severity of symptoms, including:
- How the symptoms affect a person’s daily functioning
- How long the person has been experiencing the symptoms
For example, consider the difference between someone who has experienced depressive symptoms for two days and is fully functioning, versus a person who has experienced it for 2 months and is in jeopardy of losing their job due to excessive absences from work. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, try asking yourself, “How long have you been feeling this way?”.
Seeking Help For Depression
While there are several, varying types of depression (e.g., clinical depression, seasonal effect depression, etc.), no form of depression will necessarily go away on its own. In fact, most forms of depression require treatment in some form.
Many people spend far too much time and energy on hiding their problematic, depressive symptoms, and far too few seek treatment. There are ways to embrace, better understand, and ultimately tame your depressive symptoms. For some people this can look like reaching out to others, seeing a mental health professional, and/or increasing healthy movement and nutrition.
If you have been experiencing any of the feelings mentioned above for 2 weeks or more, or experiencing thoughts of suicide or self- harm, we encourage you to reach out for help. Garrett Counseling has a team of counselors in Huntsville, AL and our other locations that are experienced in working with adults who are experiencing depression. Contact us today at (256) 239-5662 or by clicking here.