How to Identify the Warning Signs of Depression

Feeling bouts of sadness from time to time is inevitable. Relationship struggles, disappointment, stress, losing someone, or any number of things could make you sad. That’s normal. 

What about when that sadness goes on for weeks and months? What if it negatively impacts your daily life, relationships, physical health, and work or school performance? 

Well, if that’s the case, you may just be dealing with clinical depression. But how do you know if you’re just feeling blue or if you are experiencing warning signs of depression? 

Knowing the common, and perhaps not so common, symptoms of depression is the first step to getting the help you need and feeling better. 

We Can Help

Ten of the Most Common Warning Signs of Depression

Many people suffering from depression put off getting professional help. Some may not want to admit they need help, while others think they “should” be able to shake feeling overwhelmingly sad and lethargic on their own. 

But seeking depression therapy in San Diego isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength and commitment to yourself. You deserve to live your best life. And getting quality evidence-based psychological depression treatment in San Diego or wherever you live is the key to overcoming your struggles. 

Take a look at this list, indicating some of the most common warning signs of depression. If one or more of these symptoms resonate with you, it’s time to reach out for help.

What is Depression and What Are the Best Treatments?

1. Feeling hopeless and pessimistic

This warning sign of depression can be a little tricky to pinpoint since it’s not really measurable. But feeling hopeless is different from feeling sad because it has more to do with how you look at life, not just the present moment.

If you have clinical depression, you may feel like you’ll never feel better, so what’s the point? Or you might feel worthless and you’ll never amount to anything. These aren’t just sad feelings. These thoughts are huge red flags of depression. 

2. Fatigue

We all know feeling exhausted is no fun. Well, when you suffer from clinical depression, you often feel a persistent lack of energy and an overwhelming sense of fatigue. 

Keep in mind that fatigue isn’t just being tired or sleepy. It’s feeling lethargic and almost like it’s impossible to find any motivation to do anything at all. 

3. Thinking about death or suicide

People who commit suicide often mention it or talk about death prior to going through with it. To others who may not think you are depressed, they may shrug it off. 

But in reality, if you’re thinking or talking about death or suicide more often, it’s time to get depression therapy in San Diego or wherever you live. STAT.

4. Changes in appetite

One of the most common warning signs of depression is a change in appetite. You may have increased appetite and weight gain, or you may not want to eat at all and lose weight. 

It’s important to note whether your appetite change is intentional or not. If you evaluate your changes in eating patterns and realize they’ve altered without you meaning to, you’re likely suffering from depression. 

Getting Help for Depression: How to Find the Right Therapist

5. Irritability

Having clinical depression doesn’t manifest itself in everyone the same way. While some people may seem withdrawn and sad, others may seem overly angry and irritable. Or, you might just exhibit some of both. 

If you feel like you’ve been angrier with your friends, family, and coworkers, that’s another possible warning sign of depression.

6. Physical pain

The symptoms of depression don’t stop at mental warning signs. Clinical depression can also present itself physically. Some of the most common physical warning signs include:

• headaches
• backaches
• chronic pain conditions
• digestive issues

Finding the Best Depression Treatment in San Diego

Left untreated, clinical depression can also lead to serious medical conditions like:

• cancer
• autoimmune conditions
• arthritis
• heart disease
• type 2 diabetes

7. Loss of interest in hobbies and activities

You used to love doing things with your friends. You used to thoroughly enjoy going to yoga. You used to look forward to watching a favorite show with your Beau. 

But lately, you just don’t want to do any of it. One of the most telltale warning signs of depression is the loss of interest in things you used to enjoy doing. Even if you haven’t noticed how much you’ve stepped back from such things, this is one of the first symptoms others may notice when you have clinical depression.

8. Low sex drive

Many people lose interest in having sex when suffering from depression. A lowered libido may be caused by symptoms both previously listed and not:

• fatigue and exhaustion
• loss of interest in doing anything pleasurable
• lowered self-esteem and self-worth

What to Do If Your Depression Is Getting Worse

9. Sleep pattern changes

Yes, we know we said you’re most likely exhausted when you have clinical depression. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to sleep during regular hours. 

One of the warning signs of depression is changes to your typical sleeping patterns. You may sleep way too much, or you may suffer from insomnia. Or, you might sleep odd hours. All are symptoms of depression. 

10. Uncontrollable emotions

When you suffer from clinical depression, you don’t necessarily feel sad all the time. In fact, you may feel a burning anger one minute, and then the next minute, you can’t seem to stop crying. 

If you have more mood swings than you remember ever having in the past, it may be time to look for depression therapy in San Diego or near you. 

What to Expect in a Depression Treatment Program

Get Proven, Quality Depression Treatment in San Diego at BOLD Health

At BOLD Health, we understand you have several options when it comes to choosing depression therapy in San Diego. But you deserve treatment that goes above and beyond typical talk therapy. 

What sets our depression therapy in San Diego apart from the rest is that we emphasize the importance of our clinicians developing a rapport with you, our valued patient. Each member of our staff is selected for their ability to connect, care, and offer effective treatment.