5 Unknown Symptoms of Depression

Things have changed a lot in the last 30 years when it comes to depression. In 1980 and even 1990, people still considered this condition to be moral weakness or even madness.

Today, most people not only know at least one person who has openly struggled with depression, but can list at least five symptoms of depression.

These changes are a step towards something better, reflecting a greater openness to mental health treatment. Increased awareness of depression and its symptoms means that people are now more willing to seek help and treatment rather than sweep the problem under the rug.

Really, though, how much do we know about depression—an incredibly complex condition that has chemical, emotional, and mental sides, plus environmental components? How can we be sure that we can recognize the signs of depression?

It is not a kind of universal condition. Although most of us are more aware and understanding of depression than in the past, it can still be easily missed.

Although there are typical symptoms, depression can look completely different for different people.
In fact, there are many ways it can manifest itself far beyond the familiar symptoms such as crying, loss of interest, lack of energy .

Recognizing the lesser-known signs of depression can improve your willingness to admit it to yourself or others. And that means you have a better chance of getting help in the very early phase of this oppressive condition.

1. Sudden changes in weight

The question “Have you lost weight” is usually considered a compliment. Generally speaking, in our culture losing weight is a positive sign of health and appearance type.

However, unintentional weight loss, especially when it is significant in a relatively short period of time, can be a serious depressive symptom.

Decreased or suppressed appetite is a chemical side effect of depression. If you find that your usual habit of eating three times a day has reduced to two or less, it could be depression. The opposite is also true – if you suddenly start to put on weight and increase your weight significantly.

2. Grumpiness

In our minds, depression equates to severe sadness and dark thoughts. But for many people, depression manifests itself with grumpy behavior, with easy irritation, with violent emotional reactions to seemingly unimportant things.

Although it is most commonly seen in men, temper tantrums can occur in anyone. Just as people with depression may cry for no reason, or without being able to explain why, they can also easily be irritable and angry without realizing it.

3. Boredom

One of the classic symptoms of depression is a loss of interest or pleasure in what is happening, especially if it was enjoyable in the past. We tend to think that depression goes hand in hand with feelings of sadness and loss.

And depression can manifest as just plain boredom. Things stop sounding fun to you and nothing seems worth the effort. Little by little, you turn off all activities until the most banal ones like watching TV and surfing the Internet remain.

4. Pain and Suffering

Until recently, somatic symptoms as a sign of depression were overlooked by most mental health professionals, but now they are considered among the most important.

They can range from skin sensitivity to muscle aches, from joint stiffness to stomach cramps and digestive problems.

First you need to determine if these pains are related to depression or another medical problem. If you have no other illness, or if the pain does not go away after medical intervention, it may be rooted in psychological stress.

5. Difficulty making decisions

Everyone sometimes has difficulty making decisions, especially when we are overwhelmed and down. However, you should pay attention if you find it difficult to decide about ordinary, everyday things, such as what to wear to work or what to cook for dinner.

The mental stress and lack of energy that depression brings can make this choice seem paralyzing and send you into a veritable pit of anguish.

People with depression can be extremely indecisive when choosing a movie to watch or choosing between plastic and paper bags at the neighborhood store.

If you are struggling with some of these issues, especially in combination with “classic” depressive symptoms, it may be time to seek help from a mental health professional. Depression can be a frightening condition, but there is certainly a successful treatment for it.