Signs of depression: persistent changes and getting help

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“Determining whether persistent dark feelings are the result of depression can be the first step toward healing and recovery. The following signs indicate that it’s time to see a mental health professional.”

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“This kind of emotional disconnection is one of the most often missed signs of depression. "Clients often say they don’t feel sad — they just feel nothing.”

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“Often, they don’t come in until their symptoms have already caused months or even years of distress—by then, their work performance, social life, and even physical health may be suffering. In many cases, stigma or shame can delay someone’s first visit to a healthcare professional, but there is another factor at play as well: a genuine difficulty in spotting the subtle shifts that indicate depression.”

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“What are the symptoms of mild depression? Mild depression implies that the symptoms you experience don’t significantly interfere with your usual activities, even if they’re distressing. Because of this, you may not even realize you have depression, despite some of the changes in your mood or motivation levels.”

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“Depression is a mood disorder that causes feelings of sadness that won't go away—and understanding the difference could be the first step toward getting help.”

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“Many people ask themselves if what they’re feeling is anxiety, depression, or a mix of both. The two conditions can blur together, making it difficult to pinpoint what’s really happening. For some, ongoing tension slowly wears down both mind and body. For others, a deep, lingering sadness is accompanied by unease and restlessness.”

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“Many people experience both anxiety and major depressive disorder, called Anxious Depression. This Anxious Depression comorbidity is rooted in the brain. Patients with Anxious Depression exhibit more severe depressive symptoms than nonanxious depression. Various neuroendocrine, neurotransmitter and neuroanatomical disruptions characterize mood and anxiety disorders. Major Depressive Disorder (also known as MDD) can take many different forms, and recent studies found that symptoms of anxiety also mark some instances of depression.”

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“What’s more, anxiety often goes hand-in-hand with depression. Nearly half of people diagnosed with depression also have an anxiety disorder, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. At any one time, “about 7% of the U.S. population meets criteria for a major depressive disorder,” says Rachel Katz, MD, a psychiatrist at Yale Psychiatric Hospital.”

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“When worries feel uncontrollable, restlessness becomes overwhelming, or physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, and sleep problems appear, it may signal a more serious anxiety disorder. The good news is that anxiety is highly treatable. Professional support—whether through therapy, medication, or structured programs like Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) or Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)—provides strategies, tools, and a path toward relief.”

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“Depression in women often doesn't look like constant sadness. Instead, it may be more like a persistent sense of being overwhelmed, exhausted or emotionally numb.”