Life throws punches — to everyone. We get hurt. People we love get ill, pass away, or leave. We often fail to realize our aspirations and face grave disappointment. Self-doubt plagues our perspective on life. Our possessions can get taken away from us or destroyed.
Too many external and internal factors may leave us feeling unfulfilled.
It is perfectly natural to get the blues from time to time. You might feel disheartened and hopeless because of some event — or for no apparent reason.
But you may wonder: “How do I know if I have depression?” How is depression different from sadness? Is depression a disease? And what is the time to seek help?
This article will help you determine how to know if you’re suffering from depression and understand when to reach out. In it, we cover the following topics:
- What is depression, and how is it different from sadness or low mood
- Depression statistics
- Symptoms of depression and whether it differs for men and women
- Causes of depression
- Mini quiz to screen for depression
- When to seek help
If you are here because someone you know has depression, you may also want to read this article to learn how to support someone who is depressed.
What is Depression? Understanding the Condition
Feeling low is as much a part of life as joy is. Some would argue — even more so.
And often, those negative emotions might be a bit more sinister. A relatively simple “I feel low” might unwittingly transform into a black hole of meaninglessness. You can sense despair creep up on you and not let go.
But what is the difference between low mood symptoms and an emotional disorder? How to tell if you have depression?
We will now delve into the difference between sadness and depression and discuss different types of depression.
Depression Vs Sadness and Low Mood
It might be tricky to understand if what you are going through is sadness, low mood, or clinical depression. The adverse emotions in all three experiences are relatively similar.
According to the APA Dictionary of Psychology, sadness is “an emotional state of unhappiness, ranging in intensity from mild to extreme and usually aroused by the loss of something that is highly valued (e.g., by the rupture of a relationship)."
In other words, sadness is tied to an apparent loss or disappointment. As we will see, depression can also be reactive, triggered by an adverse event. This type of depressive disorder is called situational depression. However, it can also “come out of nowhere” and happen regardless of your life circumstances.
Similarly, low mood is caused by stressors, losses, disappointments, frustrations, and conflicts. It is slightly less concrete and more omnipresent than sadness. Low mood symptoms include restlessness, edginess, exhaustion, and usually a need for some time alone. Nonetheless, when you look at low mood vs. depression, you will notice that it does not go into the depths of despair that depression does.
There is another vital difference between sadness and depression. When you are sad or in a low mood, there are moments when you feel better and hopeful. Albeit briefly, you can find comfort and joy in consoling activities or thoughts. Importantly, you acknowledge that, even though it is hard to imagine it now, your life will surely return to normal at some point. With depression, bleakness seems to be there for good.
However, it is essential to recognize that sadness and low mood can transform into depression. Sadness is the core element of depression. When these experiences last more than two weeks and are accompanied by other depression symptoms, you might be experiencing a depressive episode.
Different Types of Depression
Are there different types of depression?
Yes. Depression is not a single disorder. As such, it may have varying features. Therefore, what you are experiencing might not fit perfectly into the basic description of depression signs and symptoms. This variety is why it is vital to seek professional advice if you are wondering how to tell if you are depressed.
The current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5 TR) lists the following clinical depression types:
- Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)
- Major depressive disorder
- Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Substance and medication-induced depressive disorder
- Depressive disorder due to another medical condition
- Other specified depressive disorder
- Unspecified depressive disorder
The typical feature of all these disorders is the presence of a sad, empty, or irritable mood.
Bodily symptoms of various sorts accompany depressive disorders. There are also changes in how we interact with the world and cognitively process experiences.
The difference between the types of depression disorders lies in their duration, timing, or presumed etiology.
Although related, as you can see, bipolar disorder is no longer classified as a depression-spectrum disorder. Bipolar disorder is present when the person experiences cycles of mania (exaggeratedly euphoric feelings and thoughts) and depression.
Also, depression is often associated with anxiety, even though these are two distinct emotional disorders. Nearly 50% of individuals diagnosed with depression also reported at least one episode of an anxiety-spectrum disorder, according to recent findings. The difference between the two can be best understood as a distinction between excessive worry and all-encompassing sadness.
Depression Stats
What percent of people have depression?
Depression is a common condition. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the disorder affects an estimated 5%-8% of adults worldwide. This percentage means that approximately 280 million people are trying to cope with depression at this very moment.
And how many people suffer from depression in the US? The statistics match those of the global prevalence. This means that approximately 21 million Americans are affected by depression each year. The incidence of depression increased in 2019 and 2020, according to the State of Mental Health in America 2021 survey. We may assume that more people were seeking help for depression due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nonetheless, quality treatment is more available in the US compared to low- and middle-income countries. Treatment access is vital because the risk of suicide increases substantially in depression, leading to 700,000 deaths a year globally.
So, if you feel that joy has disappeared from your life and you cannot shake off the gloomy feelings and outlook, know that hundreds of millions of people are going through the same.
And if you are a woman, you are nearly twice as likely to face depression at some point in adulthood as men. We will discuss the potential reasons for such an unequal distribution when examining the causes of depression. However, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, postpartum depression, and perinatal depression testify to the broader range of risk factors for the fairer sex.
Research revealed that approximately one-half of individuals who underwent one depressive episode would relapse. Moreover, with every subsequent episode, the risk increases to 90%. In most cases, these relapses occur within the first six months after the initial occurrence of depression symptoms.
However, how do you know if you have depression and if you are one of the millions of people affected by the disorder? What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of Clinical Depression
Depression is an ominous disorder that tends to drain the joy of life out of you. You might not notice it when it starts to creep up on you.
The sometimes-obscured nature of the disorder is why it is essential to understand the early warning signs of depression.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please reach out to supportive and trusted people in your environment and, ideally, professionals who can help you navigate those difficult experiences and get better.
- Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day. You feel sad, empty, numb, and hopeless; others start noticing that you have become tearful, apathetic, or bleak.
- Diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities that once were enjoyable.
- Changes in weight and appetite unrelated to dieting. Usually, depressed individuals lose weight and have diminished appetite, but the opposite is also possible.
- Changes in sleep patterns. The typical symptom is insomnia, but some affected individuals tend to sleep significantly more than before.
- Others can notice that you are restless or, alternatively, slowed down.
- You are experiencing unexplained fatigue and low energy.
- Unsubstantiated and exaggerated senses of guilt and worthlessness plague you.
- You find it difficult to focus or make decisions.
- Thoughts of dying, hurting yourself, committing suicide, or planning suicide are present.
How is Depression Diagnosed?
For depression to be diagnosed by a clinician, a minimum of five symptoms must be reported. Either a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure must be included in the list of complaints, alongside other manifestations of depression.
If you are still wondering: "How to know if I have depression?" you must understand that a clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist would explore if the symptoms last at least two weeks. These signs of depression also must present a noticeable change from how you functioned before. Moreover, the symptoms adversely affect your day-to-day life and how you act in social situations and as a professional.
Do Male Depression and Depression in Women Differ?
In some aspects, yes, depression signs in men and depression in women are not identical.
Apart from the fact that there is a significantly larger proportion of women among the affected individuals, the causes and manifestations seem to be different between a depressed man and a depressed female. A recent study demonstrated that genetics and the interaction of genes and the environment are gender-specific in depression.
These are the main differences between women’s depression symptoms and the symptoms of depression in men:
- Women tend to get sad and stressed more in depression
- Women experience sleep problems more often
- Men are more susceptible to irritable moods and impulsive aggression in depression
- Women are more likely to seek professional help and support from loved ones
- Women are more prone to suicidal thoughts
- Men are more likely to commit suicide
What Causes Depression?
Now you know how clinical depression is diagnosed. But what causes such a troubling experience?
Similar to other complex mental health conditions, there is no single answer to what causes depression. Research is still ongoing.
However, we know that there is usually an interplay of biology and environment. Sometimes, this interaction produces depressive responses.
For most depression spectrum disorders, some genetic or chemical risk factor was determined to be connected. For example, dysfunctions in serotonin metabolism often correlate to depression. However, that is not to say that some people are predisposed to depression and stand no chance.
Similarly, depression often occurs in response to adversities in life. For example, a normal grieving process can morph into depression or trigger an otherwise unrecognized tendency toward the disorder. Natural disasters, associated with various environmental risk factors (such as previous trauma), were found to increase the risk of depression.
Everyday circumstances can also push you into that sense of despair and worthlessness. Work-related stressors, if prolonged, can cause not only burnout but also trigger depression. According to Mental Health America, depression is among the top three reasons employees seek mental health assistance in the workplace.
How to Tell If I Am Depressed?
If you find yourself wondering: “How to know if I am depressed?” we recommend reaching out to a professional. It can be a clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, or psychiatrist who will conduct a detailed interview and testing with you and determine if what you are going through is one of the different types of depression we discussed earlier.
However, if you want first to check for early warning signs of depression in the privacy of your own home, the BrainManager team designed an affordable depression test that will measure the presence of physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms, as well as suicidal tendencies.
First, you can take a brief screening questionnaire below to assess your main symptoms quickly.
Mini Quiz on Depression
In the past several weeks, have you experienced the following:
- Depressed, sad, empty, hopeless mood?
- Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy?
- Changes in weight and appetite (such as poor appetite or overeating)?
- Changes in sleep patterns (such as trouble falling or staying asleep or sleeping too much)?
- People close to you notice that you are moving or speaking more slowly than usual?
- Others noticed you became irritable?
- Feeling very tired and having low energy?
- A sense of guilt for letting others or yourself down and being worthless?
- Difficulties concentrating?
- Thinking that you would be better off dead or planning how to hurt yourself?
- Difficulties functioning as a friend, professional, a family member due to the symptoms above?
If you answered “Yes” to at least five of these questions (one of which needs to be one of the first two), you may be going through a depressive episode.
If so, you would benefit from a more detailed examination of your symptoms. And, if depression is diagnosed by a professional, you will receive adequate support and treatment.
When to Seek Professional Help?
Depression is a problematic experience because it often pushes you towards solitude — when you least need it. It makes you numb when you need the determination to address unhelpful thoughts and difficult emotions.
In effect, a downward spiral might take you deeper and deeper into the dark pits of depression.
For this reason, it is crucial to seek help. React as soon as you spot early warning signs of depression.
At any point, you will benefit from encouragement from your loved ones. Open up and tell them what you have been going through. Research confirmed that social support is crucial for dealing with depression at any point.
When do you need help with depression from a professional? Ideally, you should contact a psychologist or psychiatrist as soon as you notice that symptoms of depression last for longer than two weeks (sooner if you have already struggled with depression). Reacting as early as possible can ease the path toward recovery.
Here are a few signs that you should consider reaching out to a therapist:
- Feelings of hopelessness and emptiness do not subside significantly regardless of what you do;
- The symptoms we described above last for longer than a couple of weeks;
- The symptoms jeopardize your optimal functioning as a person and a worker; or
- You notice thoughts of the world being a better place without you or that the only way out is committing suicide.
Reach Out to Local Crisis Helplines
Apart from the psychological treatment for depression (which we will examine in more detail next), consider helplines and speak to professionals and volunteers specialized in assisting people with depression. They will relate to what you are going through and offer support out of the black hole you found yourself in due to depression.
Here are some useful links to the US and international depression and suicide prevention hotlines to explore. They are all free and confidential.
US Crisis Hotlines
UK and Ireland Crisis Hotlines
Australia Crisis Hotlines
Canada Crisis Hotline
India Crisis Hotline
Other Countries
Depression Treatment
You may feel reluctant to reach out to professionals, wondering if you are experiencing a full-blown depression. Yet, it is essential to understand that the disorder may develop into a more severe form if left untreated.
Also, depression is one of the most treatable mental health conditions. With that in mind, there is no need to delay contacting people who can help you cope with those difficult emotions.
If you are diagnosed with depression, here are some possible treatment modalities that will be recommended.
Medication
Treating depression with pharmacology involves the use of antidepressants. There are different kinds, the most well-known being selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants, and atypical antidepressants.
Each medication may have undesirable side effects; some might subside with time. Still, if you continue to experience adverse effects of antidepressants, speak to your healthcare provider so that the type or the dose is adjusted.
Psychotherapy
Talking to a psychotherapist about your struggles can make a crucial difference between succumbing to depression and overcoming the disorder. Psychotherapy helps you find the root of the issue, learn to think more adaptively, and cope with the symptoms more efficiently. The most widely implemented forms of therapy for depression are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or psychodynamic therapy.
Treatments for Depression
The combination of pharmacological and psychological treatments was found to be most effective in a recent meta-analysis. The study examined 101 past research reports and determined that combining approaches bears the best results.
In addition to medication and counseling, other treatments are often employed to fight depression symptoms.
- For depression symptoms that worsen with the seasons, exposure to white light could help alleviate the mood.
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Exercise is often recommended since it has been shown to reduce depression, anxiety, and stress.
- Your healthcare professional may talk to you about eating better because a healthy diet is connected to mood and the ability to effectively handle stress.
- Meditation was found effective for depression treatment because it allows the individual to regulate difficult emotions and thoughts.
- Moreover, research revealed that acupuncture could serve as an aid to standard therapy for depression.
Your therapist and doctor will assess symptoms, needs, and circumstances, respecting the uniqueness of your situation. All of this will be considered to determine the ideal course of treatment in your particular case.
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To Overcome Depression, Recognize It and Reach Out
There are different types of depression. Symptoms could combine in various ways, resulting in a fairly unique set of complaints. It is understandable if you were unsure whether you experienced low mood or if it may be clinical depression.
This article was written to help you navigate through the question: "How do I know if I have depression?” We hope you have enough information and tools to answer this question.
Whatever you are going through now, remember to take action and ensure you receive adequate help. Whether it is the blues feeling, grieving a loss, or depression of an unknown cause, two elements are crucial for overcoming it. First, reach out — to loved ones and professionals. Second, be gentle and caring to yourself.
Do not hide away your pain.
Millions of people worldwide are going through similar experiences at this very moment.
Depression can be a brief period of hardships or a more prolonged fight. Whatever happens, when the right kind of support surrounds you, you will find your way toward a happy and fulfilled life easier.
