Depression Symptoms: What It Is And How To Come Out Of It?

Depression symptoms don’t always look dramatic. Sometimes, it’s just dragging yourself out of bed or faking smiles that don’t reach your eyes. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that in India, 1 in 20 Indians suffer from depression. Most don’t even realize it—just thinking they’re tired or “not in the mood lately.”

You might still go to work. Still laugh at a joke. But deep down, it’s like something’s missing. Like your spark’s gone quiet. That counts too.

It’s easy to brush it off. Life’s busy, right? But if the heaviness sticks around… if you’re not feeling like yourself for weeks, it might be more than a rough patch.

No scary labels here. No pressure. Just some honest talk about what depression can really feel like—when you’re trying to hold it together on the outside, but things are slowly falling apart inside.

Let’s walk through it. Gently.

What is Depression?

Depression is not merely sadness. It is akin to being trapped in a mental situation where everything seems heavy and beyond reach. You get tired, but you may hardly climb out of bed even after an entire night’s sleep.

It’s a method of living that weighs you down, not just a mood. It does not always appear as we would expect; there are no clear tears or lengthy days in bed. Day after day, it frequently looks like simply going through the motions and feeling numb or disconnected from everything about you.

Still, it is actual. Moreover, it is not a condition one snaps from. Depression can result from several factors: environmental stresses, genetics, trauma, or brain chemistry in disarray. It also co-occurs with other mental or health issues like cancer, heart disease, etc. Diabetic distress is a depression in managing diabetes.

Myths About Depression

1. “It’s just sorrow or sadness.”

Not at all. Sadness is transient. One suffers from depression. It drains your enthusiasm, motivation, and happiness—often without a single tear.

2. “You could snap out of it.”

Should it be that simple, nobody would suffer. Depression is a medical condition, not a negative attitude. Willpower by itself does not remedy any chemical imbalance.

3. “Those with a good life cannot be depressed.”

Success, money, love—none of it makes you immune. Depression ignores the degree of “perfection” your life appears to have on the outside.

4. “It implies you are weak.”

Actually? Strength is in showing up despite despair. You are not weak if you suffer from mental illness. Stigma does.

The Science Behind Depression

At its core, depression is a brain chemistry issue. We’re talking serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine—the big three mood-regulating chemicals. When they’re out whack, your emotions, energy, sleep, and focus can all take a serious hit.

Here is what science says:

• Studies by the National Library of Medicine show that depressed patients have reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain tied to decision-making and emotional control.
  
• Another research article linked chronic stress (hello, real life) to shrinkage in the hippocampus, a key area for memory and mood regulation.
  
• Harvard Health says that gut health matters too—90 %+ of your serotonin is made in the gut. That’s why junk food and depression are often best friends.

So, no, depression isn’t just a “bad day” or “negative thinking.” It’s real, physical, and measurable. And the right care can rewire those pathways.

Common Depression Symptoms To Watch Out For

Depressive signs are discreet. It can sneak up on you at the very least expected moment, and doesn’t always match expectations. Here are a couple of things to check out:

1. Feeling Down, Constantly

It is more than just “having a bad day. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it’s that unceasing, unrelenting sadness kept intact, day after day. It feels like the weight of the planet is on your shoulders, and you cannot shake it; it is not necessarily something wrong.

2. Losing Interest in Things You Used to Enjoy

You don’t feel the same way about the things that would once bring you pleasure now. A hobby, a preferred meal, or spending time with pals—all of it begins to become a drudgery, something you’re working yourself to do because you are supposed to. 

3. Feeling Exhausted All the Time

You still feel tired even when asleep. It’s like you sail through the day, barely keeping yourself together, and no amount of sleep can fill you up.

4. Struggling with Focus or Decision-making

It seems as though your brain is in a fog. Making a choice—whether major or small—feels exhausting, and you cannot concentrate on minor activities. Even deciding on dinner can seem like a mountain to scale.

5. Fluctuations In Weight Or Appetite

Either you eat too much or not at all. Food becomes either a source of comfort or an object you lose all interest in. It feels like you have lost control, and your body is beginning to reflect it. 

The findings by the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition show that depression, emotional eating, and not getting enough sleep can all contribute to gaining weight, especially around the stomach.

6. Issues with Sleeping

You can’t stay awake, or you can’t drift off. Either way, you find yourself weary and uneasy. Sleep does not appear to matter, how much you get.

7. Sensing That You’re Inadequate

You start to feel worthless, guilty for things you cannot change or didn’t do. Everything you do seems not to be good enough. It’s a weight in your chest that never vanishes.

8. Ideas of Suicide or Death

Johns Hopkins Medicine says that an individual with depression symptoms sometimes tends to get suicidal thoughts without any plan. Moreover, these back-to-back thoughts of suicide without any intentions to die or any planning are the biggest symptoms of depression.

How Depression Appears In Daily Life?

Usually, depression does not seem at all as you could imagine. It’s not always about crying all the time or staying in bed all day. Instead, it creeps into your life in small, quiet ways that might cause you to find daily chores intolerable.

• The Morning Struggle: Waking up feels more difficult than it ought to. Before you ever leave your bed, the following day seems daunting. Once your eyes open, the weight of all ahead of you begins, and rising up feels like ascending a mountain.
  
• Going Through the Motions: Still living your life, working, meeting people—but you’re not here. You are operating on autopilot, going through motions without true emotion or interaction.
  
• The Effort of Small Talk: Even with those you love, conversations could seem tiring. Inside, it’s like you’re just waiting for the moment to pass, but you are supposed to stay caught, be enthused, or even laugh.
  
• Lack of motivation: Tasks that once felt normal, even pleasurable, seem like major obstacles now. Your brain is too exhausted to manage it, not because you’re lazy, so you procrastinate. Everything is just too much. You need to do a self-analysis to find out more about the condition.
  
• Isolating Yourself: You find yourself withdrawing from others, not because you want to, but rather because it seems too much to maintain the social expectations. Even if you’re not really OK with it, it is simpler to be alone.
  
• Time Losing Meaning: The days combine. You forget when you last felt “normal.” Yesterday may seem like last week, and today could already feel like the next morning. You are fixed in one spot, even if time marches on.

Depression, in not every case, is the severe, life-defining condition we regard it as. It’s in the little experiences, the stuff we generally neglect. And if you feel like this, admitting it is fine. Recognizing it is the starting point for mental wellness.

Types Of Depression

Various types of depression are:

1. Clinical Depression/Major Depressive Disorder

It is the most severe form of depression. Hence, it is also known as major depressive disorder. Here are the symptoms responsible for this disorder:

• Depressed mood
• Lack of interest in activities usually enjoyed
• Changes in weight
• Changes in sleep
• Fatigue
• Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
• Difficulty concentrating

According to Beyond Blue, clinical depression is more than just feeling low—it happens most days, lasts for at least two weeks, and seriously affects your daily life, from work to relationships.

2. Persistent Depressive Disorder/Chronic Depression

According to the Harvard Medical School, persistent depressive disorder is also called dysthymia and lasts for a more extended period, i.e., two years. It’s not as regular as MDD but pervasive and long-lasting. Here are the symptoms of chronic depression:

• Loss of interest and pleasure
• Anger and irritability
• Feelings of guilt
• Low self-esteem
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep.
• Sleeping too much
• Feelings of hopelessness 
• Changes in appetite
• Trouble concentrating

3. Bipolar Disorder

• Firstly, it includes a period of abnormally elevated mood known as “Mania”. The periods could be mild, or they can also be extreme and could result in hospitalization. It also includes episodes of major depression.
• In addition to that, Fatigue, insomnia, and lethargy are the symptoms of bipolar disorder.
• Also, unexplained aches, pains, and psychomotor agitation
• Apart from this, indecision and disorganization are also symptoms.

4. Postpartum Depression

Motherhood is lovely, but it has its own drawbacks: it entails major hormonal and physical alterations impacting the mood of the mother. Starting either during pregnancy or shortly after delivery, postpartum depression can, however, it’s also referred to as “baby blues.” Among the symptoms are:

• Low mood, the feeling of sadness
• Appetite change 
• Feeling helpless and hopeless
• Thoughts of hurting yourself and your baby 
• Thoughts of suicide 
• Hormone changes

Causes Of Depression

The onset of depression does not necessarily mean an imbalance of chemicals in our body, but it may involve a majority of causes. Therefore, for better understanding, we have listed the causes of depression. Below are the trigger alarms for the cause of depression.

1. External Factors

There are certain external factors that lead to depression such as – the death of a loved one, a breakup from a long-term relationship, getting fired from a job, overwork, a lack of free time to relax, and a lack of a support system.

2. Childhood Experiences

Research shows that childhood trauma has a potential risk to alter the person’s brain. Moreover, childhood abuse and traumatic events sometimes lead to adult depression.

3. Learned Helplessness

It is the behavior exhibited by a person when they endure multiple adverse events. It is caused by people’s acceptance of their powerlessness.

4. Genetics

Sometimes genetics plays a role in the onset of depression. If someone from your family has depression, it may affect you as well.

If you are facing weight gain due to stress and depression, then connect with our experts right away for the proper dietary guidance.

How To Overcome Depression: Self-Care Tips

How to come out of depression? Let’s find out the answer. Below are a few precautions that a person suffering from depression should try for self-care:

• Reach Out To Your Friends And Family: Stay connected to your loved ones, and participating in social activities will also improve your mood and perspective toward people.
  
• Enjoy Yourself: Do things that make you feel good. Don’t force yourself to do things, but you should push yourself to indulge in activities that will make you feel better.
  
• Take A Healthy Diet: Follow a proper depression diet. Increase the intake of omega-3 fatty acids, and maintain the level of vitamin B. Also, check the intake of sugar, refined carbs, caffeine, and alcohol.
  
• Practice Regular Workout: Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity per day, or yoga for depression. Be mindful during your activity. Get a lot of sunlight to fulfill your daily requirement of vitamin D and also to improve your depression.
  
• Think Good: Just by saying be positive, you can not change your negative thinking. However, you have to challenge your negative thoughts and tackle them with positive ones. Focus on positive ones instead of negative ones.
  
• Ask for Professional Help: Always seek professional help for depression. You can overcome depression with the use of medicine and therapy, and moreover, self-care. Don’t hesitate to take help; it doesn’t mean you are weak. Moreover, it will help you fight your traumas.

Points To Consider Related To Depression

• Firstly, depression and sadness are not the same. 
• Secondly, antidepressants are not bad for your health, and they trigger active neurotransmitters.
• Moreover, depression is a legitimate health condition. 
• Lastly, you need professional help to fight depression. You can’t do it by yourself.

When Should You Seek Help?

It isn’t always simple to determine when one should ask for help. One will feel as though one ought to manage major depression all on one’s own. But there does come a time when the most sensible course of action, for you, is reaching out.

The following is when you should give thought to asking for help:

1. When the Weight Becomes Too Much: If you are crawling through each day and getting out of bed seems insurmountable, it means you need help. Depression is not something you ought to have to bear by yourself. Check out this blog on weight loss drugs for depression and anxiety.

2. When It Starts Affecting Your Relationships: It’s time to reach out if your mood is affecting how you interact with others. Though depression can cause us to retreat, human interaction is essential for recovery.

3. When You Feel Like You’ve Lost Control: It’s time to see a professional if the hopelessness, numbness, or sadness is dominating and you don’t know how to handle it. There is no need to wait till it worsens.

4. When You’re Unable to Function: If daily activities—work, school, or even looking after yourself—become progressively harder, it’s a sure indicator that you need some assistance. You do not need to wait until it is totally unmanageable.

5. When You’re Having Thoughts of Self-Harm or Suicide: If you are considering hurting yourself or ending your life, don’t wait. Be seen immediately. One needs to speak with another person right away. Call a helpline, therapist, or loved one. 

You can get assistance so you don’t have to bear this weight by yourself. Read about the connection between self-love and mental health.

One should be aware that seeking assistance shows strength rather than weakness. The first stage in regaining your life is looking for help—therapy, a support group, or talking to someone you trust. You need not go through this alone.

Bottomline

Depression is a severe condition, but it is completely curable with proper guidance and attention. Moreover, talk to your family or seek professional help; you can start therapy with a mental health professional.

Here are the key takeaways:

• What is depression?: Depression goes beyond just melancholy. Even when you sleep peacefully, it’s like dragging a massive burden. It’s not only about mood; it’s about a continual feeling of emotional numbness that disrupts daily existence.
  
• Typical Depression Symptoms: Constant grief, a lack of interest, tiredness, difficulty concentrating, weight changes, Insomnia problems, feelings of inadequacy, and even suicidal ideation are among the symptoms.
  
• How Depression Shows Itself in Daily Living: Often, depression seems like just one is going through the motions. Though you might go to work, you are not truly there. Small talk seems tiring, and ordinary activities turn into mountains.
  
• Types Of Depression: From chronic and bipolar disorders, which each impact mood and energy levels differently, to clinical depression (serious and long-lasting). New mothers, too, can be affected by postpartum depression, which affects their mental and physical well-being.
  
• Causes of Depression: External elements, including loss, childhood trauma, inheritance, and even a demanding lifestyle, might cause depression. It’s not only concerning brain chemicals.
  
• Overcoming Depression: Staying in touch with loved ones, getting frequent activity, eating a balanced diet, challenging negative thoughts, and looking for expert assistance are some self-care recommendations.
  
• When to Contact Assistance: It’s time to seek assistance if depression interferes with work or relationships or causes thoughts of self-harm. Reaching out shows strength, not weakness.

You can also connect with our Fitelo experts, who are part of a team of experienced mind coaches and dietitians. They can help you manage this condition naturally.

How To Destress And Lose Weight?

Most of us feel low in energy, have a lot of stress, have Insomnia, slow weight loss, and have weak digestion. What if we tell you there is a fix, we can fix most of these issues with just a simple tip, which is absolutely free. So, here we are with an amazing solution. Watch this video and get to know.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are 5 Symptoms Of Depression?

• Persistent sadness that doesn’t go away.
• Losing interest in things you used to enjoy.
• Feeling constantly tired, no matter how much you sleep.
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
• Weight changes, either eating too much or too little.

How To Reduce Depression?

Focus on self-care, connect with loved ones, get regular exercise, eat well, and ensure you get enough sleep. Therapy and medications can help, too—don’t hesitate to reach out for support.

What Are The 12 Signs Of Depression?

Some key signs include feeling hopeless, losing interest in daily activities, extreme fatigue, trouble concentrating, sleep issues, changes in appetite, feeling worthless, withdrawing socially, irritability, unexplained aches, lack of motivation, and thoughts of death or suicide.

How Do I Know If I Am Depressed?

If you feel sad most days, have lost interest in things you once loved, or notice changes in sleep or appetite, it could be depression. If these feelings last for weeks or affect daily life, it’s time to check in with a professional.

Contact Us

We’re never leaving you hanging with doubts, queries, as well as confusing questions. We understand how all this information gets overwhelming as well as a little confusing on your way to a healthy lifestyle. Hence, you can always contact us at any time as our experts are here to guide you 24/7. Also, we will help you achieve your weight loss goals.

Disclaimer

This blog post was written to help you make healthy and better food choices altogether. So, be aware and take care. The important thing to consider is your health before starting a restrictive diet. Always seek advice from a doctor/dietitian before starting if you have any concerns.

Stay Healthy And Happy!