Of the many symptoms of depression, some are more common than others. However, that doesn't mean that they should be overlooked or ignored. These 10 forgotten depression symptoms should not be overlooked if you think you or someone you love is suffering from this illness.
1. Trouble concentrating
Trouble concentrating can occur when you're feeling depressed because you feel overwhelmed by your situation and lack energy or motivation to focus on anything else other than how bad things are going in your life. It's important to know that even though this symptom may seem insignificant compared to other more obvious ones like crying spells or not being able to get out of bed in the morning due to feeling tired all day long, it's still important because it can lead to other problems such as losing interest in activities that used to bring joy into their lives (such as watching TV shows or playing video games).
If you're or one of your loved ones is experiencing trouble concentrating along with other depressive symptoms such as low energy levels (which prevents them from being able to do things like go outside), then it's time for professional help because these symptoms could lead into suicidal thoughts if nothing.
2. Feeling as though you are not worthy of love or friendship
It is not a symptom that is easily found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), but it is something that many people experience during a depression episode.
The feelings of worthlessness that come with depression are often the result of negative self-talk and low self-esteem. This can lead to people staying in situations where they are mistreated or abused—or even just neglectful—because they don't believe they deserve better. They may also feel like no one would want them if they knew who they really were, so they keep secrets from friends, family members, and romantic partners in order to protect themselves from rejection.
But you do deserve better! And you do deserve love! If you're feeling this way right now (or if someone close to you is dealing with these symptoms), please reach out.
3. Feeling hopeless and helpless
Many people with depression experience this feeling as a result of their illness, but many don't even realize that it's part of their depression at all. In fact, some people think they are experiencing something else entirely—like anxiety or grief—so they don't seek help until it's too late and they've started to spiral into a deep depression.
So what exactly does “feeling hopeless” mean? It's not just having negative thoughts about your future; it means having no hope whatsoever that things will get better. To someone who feels this way, everything seems pointless and meaningless—even if there are things happening right now that make them happy or excited about life (like getting married or having children).
Feeling helpless means having no control over your situation: no matter what you do or how hard you try, nothing changes. When this happens, it can be very difficult to function normally in everyday life. It can make it hard for you to get out of bed, go to work, or do anything else that requires effort on your part. It can also keep you from being able to take care of yourself properly because tasks like cleaning or cooking may seem overwhelming when you're feeling this way.
That is why it is important to know that this is one of the symptoms of depression. So that you can take action before it is too late.
4. Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
A loss of interest is when you start to lose the ability to enjoy what was once an enjoyable activity or practice. You might find yourself feeling indifferent to activities and hobbies that were once exciting for you, or even dreading them—and no matter how hard you try, nothing seems interesting anymore.
This symptom is often overlooked because it isn't as obvious as other symptoms like crying or sleeping too much, but it's important to pay attention because it could indicate that something more serious is going on.
You might be thinking: “But I don't want to go out with my friends anymore! They're all so happy and I don't want to ruin their fun by dragging them down.” Well, we understand how you feel—and we know that depression makes it hard to feel like yourself sometimes. But we also know that when you get treatment for your depression and start taking steps toward feeling better again (like eating healthier foods), your mood will lift and those old interests will start coming back around again!
5. Lack of energy, fatigue, and chronic exhaustion
Lack of energy, fatigue, and chronic exhaustion are one of the most common symptoms of depression. It's also one of the most overlooked. That's because it's not just a symptom—it's a condition itself.
When you're chronically tired, you may feel like your energy levels just aren't there. You may have trouble getting yourself out of bed in the morning or even getting through your day with enough drive to do what needs to be done. It can seem impossible to find the motivation to be productive or to even get through your daily routine with enough strength left over to enjoy life.
This is why it's important to know that these aren't just symptoms—they're signs of something much more serious: low cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone produced by your adrenal glands that helps regulate stress responses in the body as well as other processes like metabolism and blood pressure regulation. When you're under stress or feeling depressed, your body produces less cortisol than usual—which means you don't have enough energy or motivation to get things done!
6. Insomnia or sleeping too much
Sleep is one of the most important parts of your day, but many people overlook it. In fact, insomnia or sleeping too much are the symptoms of depression.
Insomnia can be a symptom of depression because it's often caused by stress and anxiety. These emotions can make it hard to fall asleep, or cause you to wake up early in the morning without being able to go back to sleep. In addition, if you're depressed, it's common for your body to stay awake longer than normal and feel like you're not getting enough rest. This leads to a cycle where you'll feel tired during the day, but then have trouble falling asleep at night.
Sleeping too much could also be a sign of depression because it can happen when someone feels very sad or hopeless about their life situation. When this happens, they may want to escape their feelings by sleeping all day long so they don't have to deal with them anymore!
So if you've been feeling tired lately—or if you're sleeping more than usual—it might be time to talk with someone about your feelings!
7. Appetite changes: weight loss or gain
Weight loss or gain is a common side effect of depression. However, it should be noted that the cause of such changes may be different: either an increase in appetite or decrease in appetite, depending on the severity of the disease and its duration.
To some extent, this symptom can be explained by the fact that people with depression often do not want to eat because they do not feel hunger and therefore do not eat at all for several days. Other people begin to overeat due to stress or anxiety. This leads to obesity and heart problems, which are often seen in patients with depression.
8. Unexplained aches and pains (such as headaches, backaches, abdominal pain)
Many people do not realize that depression can cause a myriad of symptoms, including unexplained aches and pains. In fact, this symptom is often overlooked by doctors as they diagnose depression. The reason for this is because it is not listed in any diagnostic criteria. However, it should be noted that these symptoms are common among sufferers of depression.
A recent study conducted by researchers at Columbia University found that people who experienced unexplained aches and pains during their depressive episodes were more likely to require hospitalization than those who did not experience these symptoms. This means that those who suffer from this symptom may need more intensive care if they are suffering from depression.
The study also found that people who experienced unexplained aches and pains were less likely to respond well to treatment for their depression than those who did not experience this symptom. This means that doctors should consider including this symptom when diagnosing patients with depression so they can provide them with the best possible treatment options available today!
9. Frequent colds or infections (colds, flu)
Are you often getting sick? Do you catch every cold that comes around? If so, you could be suffering from depression. Depression can affect your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off sickness.
When you're depressed, your body produces more cortisol and less dopamine. These are two chemicals that help regulate our moods and manage stress. When they're out of balance, they can lead to fatigue, poor sleep habits, and difficulty concentrating.
A lowered immune system reduces your ability to fight off illness. That's why so many people with depression end up sick more often than not—their bodies aren't as able to protect themselves against germs or viruses in their environment!
10. Unexplained changes in bowel habits
If you've been experiencing unexplained changes in bowel habits, you're not alone. According to a recent study, 60% of people with depression have had unexplained changes in bowel habits. This can include constipation and diarrhea, as well as bloating and gassiness.
These symptoms are often overlooked by doctors who are focused on other issues, like mood or energy level. But if you're experiencing these symptoms, it's worth bringing them up with your doctor so they can be evaluated and treated.
In conclusion, if you are experiencing any of these mentioned above, you should visit a doctor as medication, therapy and alternative treatments can help you to feel better and enjoy life. Take care of yourself…you are important!
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