Symptoms & Causes of Depression

Symptoms of Depression

Some of the most recognized symptoms of depression include a profound feeling of sadness or loss of interest. You may be surprised to learn that people with depression often experience a broad range of other symptoms.

In general, if you've been experiencing some combination of the following emotional or physical symptoms for more than two weeks, and they clearly interfere with your life, discuss your concerns with your doctor:

Sadness throughout the day, nearly every day
Loss of interest in or enjoyment of your favorite activities
Feeling of worthlessness
Excessive or inappropriate feelings of guilt
Thoughts of death or suicide
Trouble making decisions

Fatigue or lack of energy
Sleeping too much or too little
Change in appetite or weight
Trouble concentrating
Aches and pains
Restlessness

Don't let this list of symptoms scare you. Treatments and therapies are available to help with the symptoms of depression.

Causes of Depression

There's no simple explanation why people experience depression. It's a complex disease that may develop for a variety of reasons. It can affect anyone at any age, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or income level.

Some people become depressed after a major life change—the death of a loved one, a divorce, the loss of a job, or a move. Even seemingly happy events, such as becoming a parent or getting married, can trigger depression. Or, even a smaller change can sometimes trigger depression.

Some risk factors for depression include:

A family history of depression
Death or illness of a loved one
Stressful conflicts, such as fights with family members or disputes at work
Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
Major life events, such as moving, graduating from college, changing jobs, getting married or divorced, becoming a new parent, or retiring
Financial difficulties

It is important to seek help if you think you are depressed.

Get tips on talking to your doctor about depression.