Depression is considered a serious illness that affects men and women, as well as individuals from all age groups, ethnic backgrounds, education levels and social classes. Everyone feels sad or down from time to time. However, people who suffer from depression experience prolonged states of sadness and feelings of worthlessness that prevent them from continuing with their normal activities and interfere with daily life. There are many different types of depression as well as a plurality of symptoms. This article will explore these symptoms along with symptoms that are typical to women, men and children.
In order to answer the question: “What are the symptoms of depression?” it is important to acknowledge the fact that there are multiple types of depression.
The most common types of depression include:
- Clinical Depression
- Major depression
- Manic depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Postpartum depression
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PPMD)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Dysthymia Depression
- Psychotic depression
- Atypical depression
Although there are many types of depression, they often share a number of similar symptoms. In fact many signs and symptoms of depression are found to be present all types of depressions enumerated above.
Symptoms of depression include, but are not limited to:
- Sadness
- Feeling of helplessness
- Felling of worthlessness
- Feeling of guilt
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Significant weight change
- Significant change in appetite
- Lack of motivation
- Lack of interest in normally pleasurable activities
- Suicidal thoughts
- Lack of energy
- Chronic pain
- Headaches
- Digestive problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Impatience
Most people that suffer from depression will be affected by some of these symptoms for a period of time exceeding two weeks. These symptoms will be manifested at a level high enough to prevent the individual to continue with his/her daily activities without repercussions.
In addition to the depression symptoms listed above, certain symptoms of depression are only manifested through specific types of depression.
In this table you will find the symptoms of depression that are associated with different types of depression:
Table 02_01: Symptoms by type of depression.
|
Symptoms |
Type of depression |
|
Agitation |
Manic Depressive / Bipolar depression |
|
Poor judgement |
Manic Depressive / Bipolar depression |
|
Excessive talking |
Manic Depressive / Bipolar depression |
|
More sociable than usual |
Manic Depressive / Bipolar depression |
|
Energetic |
Manic Depressive / Bipolar depression |
|
More productive |
Manic Depressive / Bipolar depression |
|
Risk-seeking behaviour |
Manic Depressive / Bipolar depression |
|
goal-oriented |
Manic Depressive / Bipolar depression |
|
Severe mood swings |
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder |
|
Increased sleep |
Atypical depression |
|
Increased appetite |
Atypical depression |
|
Depression caused by lack of sunlight |
Seasonal Affective disorder |
|
Long-term depression (2 years or more) |
Dysthymia depression |
|
Lack of interest in the baby |
Postpartum depression |
|
Delusions |
Psychotic depression |
|
Hallucinations |
Psychotic depression |
DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS IN MEN AND WOMEN:
While all demographics are affected by depression, there is a notable difference regarding gender. It is a common belief that more women suffer from depression than men. In fact, it is estimated that between 10 and 25 % of women suffer from depression compared to 5-7% of men. One of the reasons put forth is that women are at higher risk due to hormonal fluctuations that occur throughout a woman’s life (menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, pre-menopause and menopause). On the other hand, some experts propose that one of the reasons for this gender gap is that depression in men often goes undiagnosed. A well accepted theory explaining why men’s depression remains often times undiagnosed is because symptoms of depression in men are harder to recognize.
First off, symptoms of depression in women are similar to those in men, but the difference lies in the way they exteriorize these depressive symptoms. For example, men are more likely to report tiredness, irritability and trouble sleeping. On the other hand, women are more likely to complain about feelings of helplessness, worthlessness and excessive sadness.
Due to the fact that men cope with depression differently than women, certain signs can be associated with depression in men.
Symptoms of depression in men:
- Substance abuse (Alcohol and drugs)
- Anger
- Risk-seeking behaviour (gambling, excessive speeding)
- Reckless behaviour (casual or unprotected sex)
- Frustration
- Discouraged
- Working excessively
- Aggressive/ Violent behaviour
- Physical pain, chronic pain
Since men’s behaviours differ from those of women when faced with depression, we often associate women with depression, and attribute men’s symptoms of depression to other causes. This way of thinking also impairs diagnosis when looking at children and depression.
CHILDHOOD DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS:
Similarly than men regarding depression, children are often misdiagnosed. Again, it is not the symptoms that differ but rather the way we interpret them. Depending on their developmental stages, children in general do not know how to properly identify nor express their feelings. For example, a child that is jealous of another will most often act out rather than communicate his/her jealousy. The same goes when we are faced with children that are depressed. Therefore, in regards to symptoms of depression in children, they are similar to those experienced by adults (sadness, irritability, helplessness, worthlessness, etc). It is the signs as well as the way depression is exteriorised differs.
Here are some of the signs associated with childhood depression symptoms:
- Fear of failure
- Fear of being rejected
- Acting out: screaming, shouting, complaining
- Crying easily
- Irritability
- Social isolation
- Substance abuse (drugs, alcohol)
- Running away, talk of running away
- Poor school performance
- Lack of interest in activities, friends
- Concerns of death (fear)
- Suicidal thoughts
- Tendency to panic easily
- Anxious
- Complain of boredom
- Negativity
- Restlessness/agitation or lethargy
- Insecure or dependant
- Physical pain (stomach, muscles, headaches)
Since children do not express their feelings with ease, either because they can’t identify them or communicate them, it is important to look out for these warning signs.
Depression is a serious condition that should be looked into and treated. It is an illness that can affect each and every one of us. Although it may affect people in different ways depending on age or gender, the common symptoms of depression are present across all demographics and require treatment. Untreated, the symptoms can escalate dramatically. On the other hand, proper treatment can heighten one’s quality of life as well as that of the people around him/her.