Millions of Americans struggle with depression, and while there are some trademark signs that you can look for, each person’s battle is different. Being familiar with some of the less-common or lesser-known signs of depression can help you with your own mental health journey or allow you to recognize when someone you know is struggling. Below, we’ll outline three lesser-known symptoms of depression.
- Sudden weight loss or gain. People’s bodies change all the time, but a dramatic increase or decrease in weight may be an indication that a person is experiencing feelings of depression and coping with them by altering their eating habits.
- Trouble focusing or remembering things. Depression can impact cognitive abilities and may lead to difficulty concentrating, remembering things, or making decisions. Depression can also cause physical restlessness that can cause a person to engage in purposeless movements like pacing or fidgeting that make concentration difficult.
- Physical aches and pains. Many people don’t realize that depression can manifest itself physically and cause symptoms like backaches, headaches, and upset stomach or digestive issues. These physical ailments may seem like they have no real cause and persist even after medical evaluation or treatment attempts.
The most important thing to understand is that there is rarely a single trait that leads to a depression diagnosis. Depression can impact a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and there is no single “cure” that can provide permanent relief for everyone who suffers from it. It’s important to speak with a mental health provider who can help you or your loved one develop a plan for managing depression and working towards a fuller, happier life.