(adapted from a blog by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D)

Here is a list of common symptoms of depression, also known as major depressive disorder (MDD):

Symptoms of Depression

• Emotional Symptoms

• Feelings of sadness, emptiness, loneliness, or pointlessness.
• Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, hostility, or aggression.
• Overwhelming feelings of grief, loss, hopelessness, or despair.
• Frequent explained or unexplained crying episodes.
• Loss of interest in enjoyable activities (e.g., hobbies, socializing).
• Recurrent thoughts of self-harm, death, or suicide.

• Social/Occupational Symptoms

• Becoming overly-apologetic.
• Getting into frequent fights or disagreements with others.
• Having a low tolerance for frustration.
• Skipping events because you don’t want to “bring other people down”.
• Deteriorating or strained relationships.
• Disinterest in other people (e.g., ignoring spouse, kids).
• Social isolation or keeping to yourself because you don’t want to “bother” others (e.g., turning down invitations, making excuses).
• Impaired work/school performance (e.g., missing deadlines or not meeting responsibilities).

• Self-Neglect / Self-Care Symptoms

• Erratic or dysregulated schedule, such as not having a consistent sleep schedule (e.g., staying up all night, becoming nocturnal).
• Neglecting personal needs (e.g., skipping meals, exercise).
• Caring little or not at all about your physical appearance (e.g., not bathing, shaving, or styling hair).

• Physical Symptoms

• Difficulty sleeping (i.e., insomnia) or sleeping all the time (i.e., hypersomnia).
• Waking up early and not being able to go back to sleep.
• Poor concentration/memory or forgetfulness.
• Reduced sexual interest and desire.
• General slowness (e.g., walking slowly, taking a long time to dress or eat).
• Low energy and fatigue.
• Headaches, aches and pains, or stomach aches.
• Noticeable changes in your weight or appetite (e.g., unintentionally gaining or losing weight).