Coping with Depression
Depression is more than feeling sad, it can affect how you think, feel, move, and relate to the world around you. For many people, depression shows up quietly and gradually, making it hard to recognize what’s happening or to put words to the change.
Learning about depression symptoms can help explain experiences like low energy, loss of interest in things you once enjoyed, changes in sleep or appetite, difficulty concentrating, feeling numb or hopeless, or being hard on yourself. These symptoms are common, real, and not a personal failing.
This page is meant to help you understand how depression can show up in daily life. Naming what you’re experiencing is an important first step toward finding support, building coping skills, and reminding yourself that what you’re going through is treatable—and you don’t have to face it alone.
Read about Depressive Disorders
Review Depression Symptoms with your mental health provider
Below is a helpful list to understand how depression may be showing up for you right now. These symptoms can fluctuate, and noticing changes over time can guide your treatment.
Mood & Emotions
Feeling sad, empty, or down most of the day
Loss of interest or pleasure in things you usually enjoy
Irritability, anger, or frustration over small things
Feeling emotionally numb or detached
Feeling hopeless or overwhelmed
Thoughts
Negative or self-critical thoughts
Trouble concentrating or making decisions
Feeling guilty or worthless
Thoughts of death or not wanting to be alive
Persistent worry or overthinking
Physical Symptoms
Low energy or persistent fatigue
Changes in appetite (eating much more or much less)
Unexplained aches and pains
Sleep issues (insomnia, trouble falling/staying asleep, sleeping too much)
Moving or speaking more slowly than usual
Behavioral Changes
Pulling away from friends or family
Difficulty completing tasks or staying motivated
Decreased interest in hobbies, school, or work
Increased time spent in bed or resting without feeling refreshed
Using food, screens, or substances to cope
Daily Functioning
Trouble keeping up with routines
Missing school, work, or appointments
Difficulty managing responsibilities
Feeling overwhelmed by daily tasks
Lowered productivity or performance
Safety
Any urges to harm yourself
Feeling you cannot keep yourself safe
Increased risky behaviors
Sudden changes in mood (feeling worse quickly)