Understanding Signs and Symptoms of Depression
By Kevin Hein PA-C
It may seem obvious at first, but a common question I get from patients is, “what are the signs and symptoms of depression?” In reality, the answer can be complex. Many people may be depressed and it may not be obvious to themselves or those around them. Because of this, it can be challenging to recognize symptoms of depression in patients for both healthcare providers like society and me in general, if we are not looking for it. Furthermore, a depressed person may try to “put on a face”, or attempt to hide how they are feeling from others, even loved ones.
Because it is so common but not always easily recognizable, healthcare providers are trained to be vigilant in identifying symptoms of depression in our patients. You may have experienced this at your own clinic. Pre-visit screening questionnaires are a popular and effective tool for screening for mental health conditions and if are scored as abnormal, we can address the issue further during the visit.
An important point is that symptoms of depression can vary greatly, depending on the patient. The Diagnostic Statistical Manual for Mental Health Conditions (DSM-V) lists the criteria for diagnosing Major Depressive Disorder as having at least 4 of the following symptoms for majority of a 2-week period:
• Depressed mood most of the day, or nearly every day
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
• Significant weight loss or weight gain
• Insomnia or hypersomnia
• Psychomotor agitation or retardation
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
• Diminished ability to think or concentrate
• Recurrent thoughts of death or thoughts of suicide
As you can see, depressed mood and loss of interest in activities aren’t the only symptoms of depression. It is common for me to see patients experiencing increased irritability, difficulty with concentration, and sleep problems. Physical manifestations of mental health conditions can make diagnosis difficult, but are nonetheless important to be aware of.
If you recognize signs of symptoms of depression in yourself or others, talk about it, don’t ignore it. At Northwest Family Clinics, our healthcare providers are well trained at diagnosing and treating a variety of mental health conditions in children and adults. We use well-validated screening tools periodically to screen for mental health conditions and work closely with our patients to formulate an effective treatment plan. Make an appointment with a Northwest Family Clinics healthcare provider today.