5 signs you may be experiencing depression

Depression does not always look like being visibly sad. Some people continue working, studying, looking after their families and appearing to function well while feeling very different internally. Everyone has difficult days and experiencing one or two of these signs does not necessarily mean you have depression. But if several have been present most days for a couple of weeks or are beginning to affect your everyday life, it may be worth seeking support.

Depression can involve sadness, but it can also feel like emptiness, numbness or simply not feeling like yourself. You may notice that things feel heavier than usual or that even relatively small problems feel difficult to manage.

One of the common signs of depression is losing interest or pleasure in things that used to matter to you. You might stop seeing friends, lose interest in hobbies or find yourself thinking: “I know I should enjoy this, but I just don't.”Sometimes this withdrawal happens gradually, so it can be difficult to notice at first.

Depression can make ordinary tasks feel surprisingly difficult. Getting out of bed, replying to messages, cooking, studying or going to work may require much more effort than usual. This is not necessarily laziness or lack of discipline. Low energy and reduced motivation can be an important part of depression.

Depression can affect both the mind and body. You might notice that you:

• sleep much more or much less than usual
• struggle to fall asleep or wake very early
• eat significantly more or less
• find it difficult to concentrate
• read the same paragraph repeatedly without taking it in
• struggle to make decisions

For students or people in demanding jobs, concentration difficulties are sometimes one of the first signs that something is wrong. 

Depression often changes the way we think about ourselves. You may find yourself thinking:

• “I'm failing.”
• “I'm a burden.”
• “Everyone else is coping better than me.”
• “Nothing is going to change.”

Thoughts like these can feel completely convincing when you are depressed, even though they may not reflect how other people see you or the reality of your situation.

You do not have to wait until things become unbearable before seeking support. If low mood, withdrawal, exhaustion or negative thoughts are beginning to interfere with relationships, university, work or everyday life, speaking to your GP or a counsellor can be a useful first step. Counselling can help you understand what may be contributing to how you feel, recognise patterns that keep low mood going and gradually reconnect with the parts of life that have become harder to access.

I offer counselling in St Andrews and online, supporting adults and university students experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, difficult life transitions and other emotional challenges. If you are experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or feel that you may not be able to keep yourself safe, please seek urgent support rather than waiting for a counselling appointment.