The 5 types of symptoms in depression

Most of us have heard of depression, know what it is, or at least know someone who has or has had it. But do we know what its symptoms are and how they can be classified?

In this article We will know the main types of symptoms in depression according to their nature. These affect: mood, motivation and behavior, cognition, physiology and interpersonal relationships.

• Related article: "The 6 differences between sadness and depression"

5 types of symptoms in depression

Before describing the 5 types of symptoms in depression, we are going to describe, in a generic way, what this mental disorder consists of.

Depression (“major depressive disorder” in the current DSM-5) is a mood disorder, which involves a series of symptoms (according to DSM-5 criteria, a minimum of 5 from a list). We will explain these symptoms throughout the article, but mention that It is an essential requirement that they last a minimum of 2 weeks.

In addition, the person must have undergone a change in the way of functioning, which can be seen in their state of mind. depressed mood or loss of interest in things or decreased pleasure or motivation.

As we will see, depression includes much more than sadness or lack of illusion, as is often thought; Thus, it can also lead to feelings of rage, anger, cognitive alterations, irritability, psychophysiological symptoms, etc.

We find up to 5 types of symptoms in depression, depending on their nature, affected area (of the person or of life) and characteristics. We will see them below.

1. mood symptoms

The first group of the 5 types of symptoms in depression are mood symptoms, which affect mood, and which are perhaps the best known. These include the following.

1.1. Sadness

Sadness is the central feature of depression. Most (but not all) people with depression feel sad..

Although it is a completely normal and adaptive emotion (we are all sad from time to time), in the depression this feeling appears along with others, so it is not enough to diagnose depression, logically.

1.2. Dejection

Despondency, another mood symptom in depression, is a state in which the person is immersed, characterized by loss of strength on a physical or even moral level, as well as their energy or their spirits.

1.3. Unhappiness

Unhappiness is also part of the mood symptoms of depression, precisely because it has to do with the mood; translates into a feeling of not enjoying things, of not being well and, ultimately, of not be happy nor can it be.

1.4. Anxiety

The anxiety it is also a very common symptom, typically associated with depression. This can manifest itself in different ways (and to different degrees), through: choking or overwhelmed feeling, dizziness, nausea, uncertainty, irritability, stress, discomfort, stomach aches, belly aches, etc.

1.5. Vacuum sensation

Another key symptom in depression is the feeling of emptiness (which appears in other disorders, such as Borderline personality disorder).

It consists, as its own name indicates, in feeling an internal void that is very difficult to fill; It is a sensation related to the "non-sense" of things and life, added to a lack of enthusiasm for everything.

1.6. emotional anesthesia

Emotional anesthesia appears especially in severe cases of depression. It implies not feeling anything: neither joy, nor sadness, nor anger... It would be like being in a state of affective dullness, where nothing affects us and nothing worries us. It is a really serious symptom because it prevents us from processing what happens to us.

• You may be interested in: "The 6 types of mood disorders"

2. Motivational and behavioral symptoms

The second of the 5 types of symptoms in depression are motivational and behavioral symptoms.

2.1. Inhibition

Inhibition translates into avoiding doing the things we used to do; is a difficulty when acting, such as when interacting with others. We are withdrawn, closed in on ourselves.

2.2. Apathy

Apathy in depression is a lack of enthusiasm for life in general, and translates as a general state of disinterest coupled with a lack of motivation to do things. It makes us feel indifferent to any stimulus that comes from outside. It is a very common symptom.

23. Anhedonia

Anhedonia, another very frequent symptom, consists of the inability to experience pleasure. It is especially noticeable in things that before the depression did give us pleasure or satisfaction.

• You may be interested in: "Anhedonia: the inability to feel pleasure"

2.4. Lack of motivation

Nothing motivates us, nothing makes sense. We have a hard time doing things (even getting out of bed in the morning).

2.5. Psychomotor retardation

A psychomotor retardation may also appear (our movements are slower: for example, walking, moving in general…). It can even appear a total immobility.

2.6. Agitation

Or on the contrary, agitation (exaggerated state of excitement or nervousness) may appear.

2.7. Stupor

Characterized by mutism (not speaking) and/or by paralysis. Here our ability to respond to stimuli decreases.

3. cognitive symptoms

In depression there are usually no alterations in verbal production or comprehension, but alterations do appear in other functions.

3.1. Altered performance and formal deficits

Performance is affected by the following:

• Attention, memory and mental speed
• Executive and automatic effort and control (under certain stressful conditions)

3.2. Circular and ruminative thought

They also appear circular, ruminative and even obsessive thoughts.

3.3. Alteration in the content

Alterations in the content of thought are also notorious, and translate into:

• Negative triad (Aaron Beck): that affect the vision of oneself, the world and the future
• self deprecation, guilt, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts
• Delusions of ruin, of guilt, nihilists

Clarify at this point that delusions that appear in depression are generally congruent with mood (if they are not, the depression is even more serious).

4. physical symptoms

People with more somatic/physical symptoms are the ones who seek professional help the most.

4.1. Sleeping problems

It is very difficult to sleep well when we suffer from depression. Alterations such as insomnia (very common), nightmares, unrefreshing sleep, etc. appear.

4.2. Fatigue

We feel tired (even if we do nothing) and fatigued.

4.3. Increased or decreased appetite and weight

Hunger is also almost always altered, appearing very eager to eat or little desire to eat (and even zero desire). As a consequence, the weight is also altered.

4.4. decreased sexual desire

Libido (sex drive) also decreases.

4.5. Diffuse body discomfort

Unpleasant and annoying sensations in the body.

4.6. Nausea, unsteadiness, dizziness

Symptoms that we have mentioned in anxiety, which They can also appear in isolation..

5. interpersonal symptoms

Finally, the last of the 5 types of symptoms in depression are the interpersonal symptoms. These predict a worse course of it, as well as a greater chronicity of the disorder.

5.1. Deterioration of social relations

There is a deterioration in social relations; friendships are “lost” or deteriorate.

5.2. Decreased interest in people

This decrease in interest in people, on many occasions, ends up being bidirectional (others stop being interested in us because we are depressed).

5.3. Rejection

Finally, there may also appear a rejection towards others, or by others (towards us).