The symptoms of depression are initially quite unspecific. We’ll tell you what signs you should pay attention to and what helps.
How do I recognize depression?
It is not always easy to distinguish a temporary depressive mood from a definite depression , as the symptoms of depression are similar to those of a mild depression. Especially at the beginning of the depressive episode, sufferers suffer from relatively nonspecific symptoms that can develop over a longer period of time. The causes can include significant life events such as the loss of a loved one or a separation.
Depression symptoms at a glance
There are several physical and mental symptoms of depression that can be felt early and can be noticed by loved ones. These include:
- sleep disorders
- fatigue
- fatigue
- anorexia
- irritability
- listlessness
- Sad mood
- Unspecific pain, eg. B. abdominal pain or headache
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
- concentration problems
- hopelessness
- listlessness
- anxiety
The severity of depressive symptoms also depends on the time of day: in the mornings, they tend to be stronger than in the afternoon.
The more the depression progresses, the stronger the symptoms of the disease become – and the more that can happen. Often sufferers do not even want to leave the bed and are completely joyless. They are no longer interested in social activities or hobbies. In the worst case, it comes at some point to suicidal thoughts.
Signs of depression: What happens in the head?
Depression affects various areas of the brain: the regions that control emotions and emotions, as well as those responsible for memory, concentration, and our learning and memory abilities. This makes things that are otherwise simple and routine to us difficult, such as understanding messages or long texts. In some patients, these problems also persist when they have managed to get their depression under control (eg through psychotherapy).