What Are the Symptoms of Depression?

These are some symptoms that people have when they're depressed:
depressed mood or sadness most of the time (for what may seem like no reason)
lack of energy and feeling tired all the time
inability to enjoy things that used to bring pleasure
withdrawal from friends and family
irritability, anger, or anxiety
inability to concentrate
significant weight loss or gain
significant change in sleep patterns (inability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get up in the morning)
feelings of guilt or worthlessness
aches and pains (even though nothing is physically wrong)
pessimism and indifference (not caring about anything in the present or future)
thoughts of death or suicide
When someone has five or more of these symptoms most of the time for 2 weeks or longer, that person is probably depressed. Sometimes people go through bouts where these symptoms are really intense; other times these same feelings could be present at a lower level all the time for years. Some people have just one episode of depression, or they may go on to have more than one after being better for a while. When a person has had more than one bout with major depression, a doctor will diagnose the person as having major depressive disorder.
Teens who are depressed may also show other warning signs or symptoms. They may have increased problems at school because of skipped classes, lack of interest or motivation, or poor concentration and low mental energy caused by depression. Some teens drop out altogether, expecting to fail because of their problems.
For depressed teens who are already feeling self-critical and experiencing low self-esteem, a failure experience at school may simply be more than they can bear. They may not realize that depression is causing concentration problems, and their negative thoughts are probably causing them to mistakenly conclude that they are stupid. They also may express feelings of anger or indifference by drinking or doing drugs.
Some teens with depression have other problems, too, that can intensify their feelings of worthlessness or inner pain. Teens who cut themselves, those who have extreme feelings of ugliness, and teens who have eating disorders may have unrecognized depression that needs attention.
Everyone has some ups and downs, and occasional sadness is a normal emotion. The normal stresses of life can cause teens to feel sad every once in a while. Things like an argument with a friend, a breakup, doing poorly on a test, not being chosen for a sport, a best friend moving out of town, or the death of a loved one can lead to feelings of sadness, hurt, disappointment, or grief. These reactions are usually brief and go away with a little time and care.
Depression is more than feeling blue, sad, or down in the dumps once in a while, though. Depression is a strong mood involving sadness, discouragement, despair, or hopelessness that lasts for weeks, months, or even longer, and interferes with a person's ability to participate in their normal activities.
Depression affects a person's thoughts, outlook, and behavior as well as their mood. In addition to a depressed mood, a person with depression may also experience other symptoms like tiredness, irritability, and appetite changes.
When a person has depression, the world looks bleak, and the person's thoughts reflect the hopelessness and helplessness they feel. People with depression tend to have negative and self-critical thoughts. Sometimes, despite their true value, people with depression can feel worthless and unlovable.
Depression can cloud everything, making even small problems seem overwhelming. People who are depressed can't see a bright future ahead and feel powerless to change things for the better. They may feel like giving up. They may cry at small things or cry for no apparent reason at all.
Because of their deep feelings of sadness and their low energy, people with depression sometimes pull away from people around them or from activities they once enjoyed. This only causes them to feel more lonely and isolated, making the depression worse.
Depression can be mild or severe. At its worst, depression can create such feelings of despair that a person thinks about suicide.
Depression can cause physical symptoms, too. Some people have an upset stomach, loss of appetite, weight gain or loss, headaches, and sleeping problems when they're depressed.