Identify your symptoms of depression

What does your depression sound and feel like? It’s important to hold onto the fact that depression isn’t the real you and it won’t last forever. If you’ve felt very depressed for a long time, it can be hard to access the real you. Listening to how other people describe depression can help you identify symptoms that you may have. Here’s an example of what depression can sound and feel like:

• I am sad, tearful, and ruminative.

• I feel unlovable, worthless, and shame about who I am and my decisions.

• I feel guilty and self-critical about past mistakes.

• I sometimes become afraid of my thoughts and memories and have panic attacks.

• I have social anxiety and fear of what others think of me.

• The only thing I can do is work and it’s hard to keep it up.

• I don’t want to socialize. I want to withdraw.

• When I’m socializing, I can’t think of anything to say and it gives me anxiety.

• I need 9+ hours of sleep.

• Food is my only source of pleasure.

• I’m not interested in sex.

• I can’t concentrate and it’s hard to work or to read.

• My mind is sticky and I have intrusive thoughts.

• My thinking is really slow.

• I don’t have new ideas or interests in new ideas.

• I’m not interested in what would usually be fun.

• I can’t stay awake, even after a full night of sleep.

• My attitude is totally serious, with no lightness to it.

• I don’t have any energy.

• I feel tired, demoralized, and hopeless about the future.

• It’s an effort to talk.

• I can’t concentrate enough to make decisions.

• I’m overly concerned for others to the point of inflated responsibility.

• I get existential and think constantly about the meaning of life and death.

• My functioning is forced.