Depressive Symptoms

What are the signs of depressive problems?

Depressive symptoms include feelings of anxiety, emptiness, guilt, helplessness, hopelessness, loss of interest, sadness, and tiredness. Your mind may feel slow, and concentration may be difficult. You may think about death or suicide. Depressive symptoms can be normal responses to difficult events; however, severe or persistent symptoms may indicate an underlying disorder.

Depressive symptoms can be related to psychiatric conditions, such as bipolar disorder, major depression, postpartum depression, seasonal affective disorder, or substance abuse. While the specific causes of the depressive symptoms of psychiatric conditions are not known, they are thought to be related to chemical imbalances in the brain. Psychiatric disorders may run in some families, and environmental factors, such as childhood traumas, significant life changes, and stress, can increase the risk of developing a psychiatric illness.

Depressive symptoms can also be related to medication side effects or chronic medical conditions. Medications and substances can directly affect the nervous system, which can result in depressive symptoms. Medical conditions, such as dementia, can contribute to depressive symptoms by damaging brain tissue.

The link between depressive symptoms and some chronic medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, and chronic pain disorders, is not well understood. The combination seems to worsen both the depressive symptoms and the symptoms of the condition. Depressive symptoms can also make coping with chronic medical conditions difficult.

Severe depressive symptoms can have serious, even life-threating, complications. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) for the inability to care for yourself or to provide basic needs (food, water, or shelter), or for threatening, irrational or suicidal behavior.

If your depressive symptoms persist or cause you concern, seek prompt medical care.