Clinical depression is more common than most people realize, and our team at Spring Garden Counseling Inc. wants to make it easier for people to seek help for this condition. In our experience, many people assume that depression is just intense or long-lasting sadness, but in reality, clinical depression often manifests in a variety of other symptoms. In this article, we will go over some common symptoms of depression other than sadness to help you recognize if you or a loved one might be dealing with this illness.
- Irritability – One way depression can often manifest is as irritability. If you find yourself getting angry more easily or snapping at people in situations where you can usually remain calm, you might be suffering from depression.
- Anhedonia – Another common symptom of depression is anhedonia, which is a reduced ability to feel joy or pleasure. If activities you used to enjoy no longer seem to be as fun or pleasurable, or if you find you aren’t looking forward to special events as much as you otherwise would, then you may be experiencing depression. For people with creative hobbies, such as art or music, this often manifests as artists’ block.
- Changes in Weight – Depression can also cause changes in the body, including changes in metabolism. If you have recently put on or lost weight without any conscious changes in your routine, then depression could be part of the reason why. Depression can affect the appetite, so you might find yourself eating less or more than usual, or you might have cravings for sugary or fatty foods.