Depression Signs and Symptoms
If you think that you may be experiencing depression symptoms, take our free quiz.
Depression can be many different things. It's not just a symptom of an underlying health challenge. Like anxiety, it can be an individualized mental health challenge and is sometimes a side effect of medications. In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 3.8% of the population is experiencing depression. That's 280 million people worldwide.
Though all genders can experience depression, it is 50% more common in women than men. The many types of depression, including clinical depression, persistent depressive disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, and postpartum depression, can all seriously impact the mental and physical health of the person experiencing it. The WHO says more than 700,000 people take their lives each year, making depression the fourth leading cause of death in 15–29-year-olds.
Depression is a mental health challenge that can significantly impact our lives and the lives of our friends and families. However, depression is treatable. Innovative treatments like the dual sympathetic reset (DSR) - an advanced stellate ganglion block (SGB) - and ketamine infusion from Stella have provided hope to thousands with debilitating depression.
What Are the Most Common Symptoms of Depression?
Depression is more than just melancholy or sadness. The symptoms of depression vary and range from relatively minor to significant symptoms that negatively affect our day. Many of us experience multiple symptoms at once, like pain and fatigue.
Some of the most common symptoms of depression are:
- Feelings of sadness and hopelessness
- Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
- Irritability
- Problems with concentration or thinking
- Pain
- Sexual dysfunction
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Gastrointestinal problems
Read on to learn more about the most common symptoms.
1. Feelings of sadness and hopelessness
Feelings of sadness and hopelessness involve a deep and persistent sadness that may result from emotional trauma or mental health challenges like depression. These emotions can lead to a lack of optimism about the future and a pervasive feeling of helplessness or powerlessness to improve one's circumstances.
2. Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed (or anhedonia), is a very common symptom of depression. It refers to the diminished ability to find pleasure or satisfaction in activities that used to bring joy or fulfillment. This can lead to a lack of motivation, reduced engagement in hobbies or interests, and a general sense of emotional flatness or disinterest.
3. Irritability
Irritability refers to a heightened state of sensitivity or easily provoked emotional responses in an individual. It is characterized by an increased tendency to react negatively or with frustration to various stimuli or situations that might not typically trigger such reactions. This heightened irritability can manifest as impatience, anger, or agitation.
4. Problems with concentration or thinking
The body's fight-or-flight response turns on when we experience trauma or a very stressful event. And sometimes it stays on long after the traumatic event, which can make us feel like we need to be on constant high alert. This makes it challenging to concentrate or think clearly.
5. Pain
Pain is one of the most common physical symptoms of depression and can often lead to emotional distress. The constant discomfort, limitations imposed on daily activities, and loss of enjoyment can contribute to feelings of hopelessness and frustration. The biochemical changes in the body due to chronic pain further exacerbate depressive symptoms.
6. Sexual dysfunction
Depression can affect various aspects of sexual health. The symptoms of depression, such as low energy can decrease libido and cause difficulties with arousal and satisfaction. Many antidepressant medications have sexual side effects.
7. Insomnia
Depression often leads to insomnia or difficulty sleeping. The persistent sadness, worry, and anxiety associated with depression can make relaxing and falling asleep challenging. Negative thoughts and rumination can keep the mind active, making it difficult to switch off and enter a restful state. Additionally, disruptions in the brain's chemical balance and the regulation of hormones and neurotransmitters can contribute to sleep disturbances. The lack of restorative sleep further exacerbates depressive symptoms, creating a cycle of sleeplessness and worsening depression.
8. Fatigue
Depression causes chronic fatigue and low energy levels due to emotional and cognitive burdens, disrupted sleep patterns, and changes in appetite. The imbalances in neurotransmitters and hormones further contribute to feelings of exhaustion. The combination of these factors results in a pervasive sense of weariness and lethargy.
9. Gastrointestinal problems
Depression can contribute to the development of gastrointestinal problems. The brain and the gut are closely connected, and disruptions in one can affect the other. The stress and emotional distress associated with depression can lead to increased sensitivity and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. Changes in appetite and eating patterns commonly seen in depression can also exacerbate gastrointestinal issues.
Are There Other Depression Symptoms?
Yes. There are some lesser-known symptoms of depression we may experience, including co-dependency, difficulty showing emotions, and overworking ourselves to distract from the challenges.
Stella's Symptom Quiz is a brief assessment that measures symptoms related to post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and stress. Take our quiz to gain an understanding of your symptoms and see if you may be a good fit for Treatment by Stella.
Treating Depression with Stella
In recent years, innovative breakthrough treatments like the dual sympathetic reset (DSR), an advanced Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB), and ketamine infusion have emerged as promising options for symptoms like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress.
While larger-scale trials are needed, the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) shows promise as a potential treatment for patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). A 2023 clinical trial investigated the feasibility and explored the efficacy of stellate ganglion block (SGB) in improving depressive symptoms. Both the active treatment and placebo groups showed decreases in depression scores by the end of the study.
In another study from Stella founders Dr. Eugene Lipov and Dr. Shauna Springer and other trauma experts, stellate ganglion block (SGB) is shown to be an effective treatment for trauma symptoms – such as depression – regardless of gender, trauma type, PTSD-related medication use, history of suicide attempt, or age.
Moreover, ketamine infusion has made positive impacts on depressive symptoms as well. A 2019 study from the Department of Psychiatry, Central Institute of Psychiatry, in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India, reported that the administration of slow IV ketamine in patients with severe depression results in significant improvement in depression and anxiety symptoms one hour after a single dose, and repeating six doses over two weeks could lead to an overall decrease in symptom severity.
DSR SGB and ketamine infusion by Stella have the potential to help millions of people with emotional trauma experience find lasting relief. To learn more about DSR SGB, please visit our "How It Works" page. For more information on ketamine infusion, please visit "How Ketamine Infusion Therapy Can Benefit Your Healing Journey."