If there’s one thing that psychologist Dr. James Campbell wants people to know, it’s that a person can be suffering from clinical depression even if they don’t “look depressed.” Depression is a complex condition, and it can manifest in many different ways, with symptoms varying from person to person. While most people know that depression causes feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or loneliness, not everyone is familiar with these lesser-known symptoms:

Disinterest in Hobbies, or Anhedonia- One lesser-known sign that someone is suffering from depression is a lack of interest in hobbies or activities they used to love. The clinical word for this phenomenon is anhedonia, which comes from the Greek for “without pleasure.” If you or a loved one don’t seem to be able to enjoy things or have fun anymore, depression may be the reason why.

Difficulty with Concentration- Another sign of depression that many people don’t know about is difficulty with concentration or memory. Depression has real effects on the brain, and one of those effects is making it harder to stay focused or keep track of information. These things can also make circumstances or relationships worse, as they can lead to poor performance at work or school and can make it hard to return calls or keep appointments.
Fatigue- A third lesser-known sign of depression is fatigue–it can literally make you tired. If someone is severely or persistently tired, or can’t seem to summon as much energy as they used to, there’s a chance that they are depressed.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, reach out to the office of Dr. James Campbell, LLC to schedule an appointment.