Although depression may occur only once during your life, people typically have multiple episodes. During these episodes, symptoms occur most of the day almost every day and include, feeling of sadness, tearfulness, and hopelessness.
While depression is generally characterized by feelings of malaise, symptoms can also include angry outbursts, irritability and frustration. Loss of pleasure in most or all activities including sex and sports are symptoms of depression.
Loss of sleep and irregular sleeping habits, sleeping disturbances, tiredness, lack of energy, reduced appetite, slowed thinking, thoughts of death, trouble thinking or concentrating can all be attributed to depression.
For many people with depression, symptoms usually are severe enough to cause noticeable problems in day-to-day activities, such as work, school, social activities, or relationships with others. Some people may feel generally miserable or unhappy without really knowing why.
Depression symptoms in children and teens
Common signs and symptoms of depression in children and teenagers are like those of adults, but there can be some differences.
In younger children, symptoms of depression may include sadness, irritability, clinginess, worry, aches and pains, refusing to go to school, or being over or underweight.
In teens, symptoms may include sadness, irritability, feeling negative and worthless, anger, poor performance or poor attendance at school, feeling misunderstood and extremely sensitive, using recreational drugs or alcohol, eating or sleeping too much, self-harm, loss of interest in normal activities, and avoidance of social interaction.
Depression symptoms in seniors
Depression is not a normal part of growing older, and it should never be taken lightly. Unfortunately, depression often goes undiagnosed and untreated in older adults, and they may feel reluctant to seek help.
