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Mental Health HomepageConditions LibraryConditions CategoryConditions CategoryWhat Does Depression Feel Like?
Table of Contents:OverviewWhat Depression Can Feel LikeSigns & Symptoms of DepressionHow Men & Women Experience DepressionWhen To Get Help for Depression
DepressionRead Time: 5 Minutes
Published On: September 23, 2021
Reviewed On: September 23, 2021
Updated On: November 2, 2023
OverviewOccasionally having a depressed mood or mood swings is normal. Sadness and grief are natural emotions we all have from time to time. Often, these feelings will dissipate on their own. But when persistent feelings of hopelessness, distress, emptiness, or a general sense of intense sadness begin to interfere with life, it may be time to take a deeper look at what’s going on.Depressionis a mood disorder that affects how we think, feel, and interact with those around us. It can have a significant impact on how we function in our daily lives.To learn more, including what depression feels like and how to identify the signs and symptoms of depressed person, read on. We’re covering everything you need to know, from how depression feels for both men and women, to how you know when it might be time to get help whether that’s through therapy or medication.
Overview
Occasionally having a depressed mood or mood swings is normal. Sadness and grief are natural emotions we all have from time to time. Often, these feelings will dissipate on their own. But when persistent feelings of hopelessness, distress, emptiness, or a general sense of intense sadness begin to interfere with life, it may be time to take a deeper look at what’s going on.
Depressionis a mood disorder that affects how we think, feel, and interact with those around us. It can have a significant impact on how we function in our daily lives.
To learn more, including what depression feels like and how to identify the signs and symptoms of depressed person, read on. We’re covering everything you need to know, from how depression feels for both men and women, to how you know when it might be time to get help whether that’s through therapy or medication.
What Depression Can Feel LikeUnderstanding what depression feels like is key in recognizing whether or not you are actually clinically depressed. Many people have a certain perception of depression as being a mental health condition that’s totally debilitating or paralyzing.The truth is,depressionisn’t always like that. There are smaller signs that may indicate that what you’re experiencing is more than justfeeling downorhaving the blues.What does depression feel like? Some people report the following feelings when they’re depressed:You suddenly have difficulty focusing or concentrating on work or school.You find it difficult to see the joy in life.You feel stuck or like there’s no way out.You begin experiencing disruptive sleep patterns.You feel worthless or like a failure.You can’t findmotivationfor self-care like showering, getting dressed, or brushing your hair or teeth.You begin having actual physical symptoms like unexplained aches or pain.
What Depression Can Feel Like
Understanding what depression feels like is key in recognizing whether or not you are actually clinically depressed. Many people have a certain perception of depression as being a mental health condition that’s totally debilitating or paralyzing.
The truth is,depressionisn’t always like that. There are smaller signs that may indicate that what you’re experiencing is more than justfeeling downorhaving the blues.
What does depression feel like? Some people report the following feelings when they’re depressed:
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Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), MA, MScBisma Anwar
Signs & Symptoms of DepressionDepression can have many signs and symptoms. There are also varyingeffects of depressionon the brain. Some may even overlap across the differenttypes of depression. They can also range from mild depression andseasonal affective disorder(SAD) to severe depression which can be intrusive on your life.Some of the common symptoms ofsevere depressioncan include:Extreme sadness— When you’re depressed, you may experience intense sadness. Bouts of crying can be common and you might find it difficult to see joy in your life. Even things you once found satisfaction in may feel mundane and unimportant.Excessive irritability— Irritability is one of the most common depression symptoms. Little things that once wouldn’t have bothered you may now irritate you or make you increasingly agitated.Loss of interest in things or activities you once enjoyed— Activities, social events, or hobbies that you once enjoyed being a part of may now seem burdensome or like a chore that you just can’t take on.Lack of energy— People who are depressed often have a difficult time finding a level of energy that allows them to complete daily tasks.Feeling hopeless, pessimistic, or worthless— A sense that things will not get better, or that you aren’t worthy of any of the “good things” in life can lead to a pessimistic outlook or feelings of hopelessness.A significant change in appetite— Either a loss or significant increase in appetite, including binge eating which can also cause weight gain, are common depressive symptoms.Losing interest in self-care— Seemingly simple and basic things like showering regularly, getting dressed every day, and even brushing your hair and teeth canfeel overwhelmingand like too much to take on.Incredible difficulty concentrating— Having a hard time focusing or concentrating on work or school, to the point that it interferes with what you’re expected to finish, can be a sign of depression.Difficulty making decisions— Indecisiveness or difficulty making decisions about even basic things can become intrusive and have a significant impact on your daily functions when you’re depressed.Avoiding social activities or interactions— Avoiding interaction with friends, family members, coworkers, or even your significant other might be one of the depressive symptoms you experience. Losing interest in social events or activities that were at one time interesting is common when you’re depressed.Cutting off relationships— You may find yourself cutting ties with former friends or family and walking away from or avoiding relationships, often for no reason.Thoughts of death— Extreme forms of depression may result in excessive or even just occasional thoughts of death or dying.Thoughts of self-harm or suicide— If you’re having suicidal thoughts or self-harm, it’s urgent that you reach out to your doctor or a mental health professional.
Signs & Symptoms of Depression
Depression can have many signs and symptoms. There are also varyingeffects of depressionon the brain. Some may even overlap across the differenttypes of depression. They can also range from mild depression andseasonal affective disorder(SAD) to severe depression which can be intrusive on your life.
Some of the common symptoms ofsevere depressioncan include:
How Men & Women Experience DepressionLike many things in life, what depression feels like for men and women can be different. Signs, symptoms, and reasons for depression can widely vary.Depression in menHow depression feels might be different for men than it is for women. As noted, the causes can differ, too. Onestudyshows that a common culprit of depression in men can stem from one of the following:Childhood sexual abuseDrug addiction or substance abuseMajor life events that are stressfulA prior history of depressionMen may also experience depression as the result of low self-esteem, legal issues, feelings of failure, financial stress, or extreme career difficulties. Job loss and feeling like a failure as a provider are more common triggers for clinicaldepression in menthan they are in women.Studiesshow that there are a number of signs and symptoms of clinical depression that can differ between men and women. For example, men with depression are more likely to be aggressive and engage in risky behaviors than women are. They’re also more likely to have bouts of anger attacks.Depression in womenNot surprisingly, what depression feels like for women can result from different reasons than it might in men. Onestudyshows that women often experience depression as the result of:Differences in experiencesBiological factorsDifferent cultural expectationsMarital problems and issues with parents have also both beenfoundto cause depression more in women than they do in men.Symptoms of depression for women and men can differ as well. For example, women may bemore prone to panic and anxiety disorderon top of their depression. Some can also experience postpartum depression.
How Men & Women Experience Depression
Like many things in life, what depression feels like for men and women can be different. Signs, symptoms, and reasons for depression can widely vary.
Depression in men
How depression feels might be different for men than it is for women. As noted, the causes can differ, too. Onestudyshows that a common culprit of depression in men can stem from one of the following:
Men may also experience depression as the result of low self-esteem, legal issues, feelings of failure, financial stress, or extreme career difficulties. Job loss and feeling like a failure as a provider are more common triggers for clinicaldepression in menthan they are in women.
Studiesshow that there are a number of signs and symptoms of clinical depression that can differ between men and women. For example, men with depression are more likely to be aggressive and engage in risky behaviors than women are. They’re also more likely to have bouts of anger attacks.
Depression in women
Not surprisingly, what depression feels like for women can result from different reasons than it might in men. Onestudyshows that women often experience depression as the result of:
Marital problems and issues with parents have also both beenfoundto cause depression more in women than they do in men.
Symptoms of depression for women and men can differ as well. For example, women may bemore prone to panic and anxiety disorderon top of their depression. Some can also experience postpartum depression.
When To Get Help for DepressionIf you’ve been experiencing multiple signs or symptoms of depression and feel like it’s progressing or has progressed to the point that it’s now interfering with your life, it might be time to get help. Your doctor or a mental health professional can help you identify if what you’re experiencing is truly depression. They can help you identify which, if any, form of depression you may be dealing with. They can also help you come up with a therapy or treatment plan to learn some coping skills and techniques onhow to handle depression.Depression symptoms can increase, intensify, or worsen dramatically over time. If you’re wonderinghow does depression feel, and questioning your symptoms, take our freedepression test.
When To Get Help for Depression
If you’ve been experiencing multiple signs or symptoms of depression and feel like it’s progressing or has progressed to the point that it’s now interfering with your life, it might be time to get help. Your doctor or a mental health professional can help you identify if what you’re experiencing is truly depression. They can help you identify which, if any, form of depression you may be dealing with. They can also help you come up with a therapy or treatment plan to learn some coping skills and techniques onhow to handle depression.
Depression symptoms can increase, intensify, or worsen dramatically over time. If you’re wonderinghow does depression feel, and questioning your symptoms, take our freedepression test.
See ReferencesHow do I know I am feeling depressed?Berry, Jennifer et al. Medicalnewstoday.com. Published 2018. Accessed August 31, 2021.Sex differences in the pathways to major depression: a study of opposite-sex twin pairsKendler, Kenneth S, and Charles O Gardner. The American journal of psychiatry vol. 171,4 (2014): 426-35. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.13101375. Accessed August 31, 2021.The experience of symptoms of depression in men vs women: analysis of the National Comorbidity Survey ReplicationMartin, Lisa A et al. JAMA psychiatry vol. 70,10 (2013): 1100-6. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.1985. Accessed August 31, 2021.Gender differences in major depressive disorder: results from the Netherlands study of depression and anxietySchuch, Jérôme J J et al. Journal of affective disorders vol. 156 (2014): 156-63. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2013.12.011. Accessed August 31, 2021.
See References
Berry, Jennifer et al. Medicalnewstoday.com. Published 2018. Accessed August 31, 2021.
Kendler, Kenneth S, and Charles O Gardner. The American journal of psychiatry vol. 171,4 (2014): 426-35. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.13101375. Accessed August 31, 2021.
Martin, Lisa A et al. JAMA psychiatry vol. 70,10 (2013): 1100-6. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.1985. Accessed August 31, 2021.
Schuch, Jérôme J J et al. Journal of affective disorders vol. 156 (2014): 156-63. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2013.12.011. Accessed August 31, 2021.
Kate Rosenblatt, MA, LPC, LMHCKate Rosenblatt, MA, LPC, LMHC, was the Senior Clinical Manager at Talkspace until 2022, and is a clinical therapist licensed in CT and NY. A member of the American Psychological Association (APA), Kate completed her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA.
She has over 10 years of experience working with adults on a variety of issues, specializing in eating disorders and working with people going through life stressors such as finding your purpose, career changes, and connecting with your intuition.
Kate Rosenblatt, MA, LPC, LMHC, was the Senior Clinical Manager at Talkspace until 2022, and is a clinical therapist licensed in CT and NY. A member of the American Psychological Association (APA), Kate completed her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA.
She has over 10 years of experience working with adults on a variety of issues, specializing in eating disorders and working with people going through life stressors such as finding your purpose, career changes, and connecting with your intuition.
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