7 Surprising Signs of Depression That Can Sneak Up on You

In the past 10 years, the prevalence of the mental health disorder known as depression has increased by 60% in the United States among women, men, and children aged 12 and up. The numbers may have increased due to a rising awareness of depression, a destigmatization of receiving help for mental illness, an increasingly stressful environment, or all of the above.

Even if you don’t feel sad, you may still be depressed. Depression manifests in physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. 

How you act or feel when depressed may vary by individual, or even by gender or culture. Many times, you don’t even realize that the emotions or behaviors you’re trying to manage or that upset others are the result of a major depressive disorder.

At The Soho Center for Mental Health Counseling, our skilled and empathetic counselors advise you to be evaluated for depression if you find it increasingly difficult to navigate your days. You may also have a loved one whom you suspect has depression; sometimes it’s easier to recognize it in another than in yourself.

What are some of the surprising signs of depression that can sneak up on you? The following are seven of them.

1. Your sleep patterns have changed

Maybe you just can’t make it into bed at a reasonable time and, instead, watch TV or work. Maybe, once your head hits the pillow, you wake up instead of getting sleepier. 

You might not be getting enough sleep, or find it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep. Or, you might sleep all day and find it hard to rouse yourself in the morning. You might nod off at work or school, during a boring presentation, or even during your favorite TV show.

Insomnia and sleepiness can both be signs of depression. You may also have some level of anxiety that prevents your brain and body from feeling safe enough to relax and fall asleep.

2. You think and react more slowly 

Depression can affect how efficiently and quickly your neurotransmitters relay information in your brain. You might notice symptoms such as:

• Trouble focusing
• Memory problems
• Slower reaction times
• Feeling “blocked”

Your brain fog may make it difficult to get your work done and can cause trouble at school or at work.

3. You get mad more easily

Irritability can be a sign of depression, particularly in men. In fact, men who are depressed are more likely to exhibit angry outbursts than they are to withdraw or engage in other, more passive behaviors commonly associated with depression.

You might also have zero tolerance for people and activities that you used to enjoy. If nothing seems “worth it,” and everything or everyone around you has an irritating flaw, you may have depression.

4. You use alcohol or drugs 

If you abuse substances, it isn’t due to lack of “willpower.” You may have turned to alcohol or recreational drugs as a way of self-medicating to counteract your undiagnosed depression.

Although substance abuse is a health condition all its own, it’s often accompanied by depression, anxiety, or other mental illnesses. If you abuse alcohol or drugs, we recommend a treatment plan that includes therapy for substance abuse.

5. Your weight is unstable

Appetite changes — and the weight fluctuations they promote — are often a sign of depression. Just as some women, men, and teens with depression turn to alcohol or drugs as a way to self-medicate, you might be using food to make yourself feel better. Unfortunately, eating to boost your mood can also boost your waistline.

Or, you may find that you’re losing weight because you’ve lost your appetite. Losing interest in things that once gave you pleasure — including food — is often a sign of depression. 

6. You’re tired

Either because of lack of sleep due to insomnia, or just a general disinterest in everything, you don’t have energy anymore. You may sleep more than you once did. You might find yourself backing out of engagements, clubs, and other activities because you simply are too tired.

Unexplained fatigue is a symptom of depression. If you or someone you know is listless, depression may be at the root of it.

7. Everything hurts

Emotional pain sometimes affects the body, too. If you’re depressed, you may have a wide variety of physical complaints

Serotonin and norepinephrine affect your mood, but they also influence the way you experience pain. Depression can cause systemic inflammation that can result in headaches, stomach aches, and generalized pain.

Do you or someone you know exhibit the more unusual signs of depression? Get help by phoning or scheduling an online appointment with our helpful office staff for depression evaluation and treatment at our Greenwich Village offices in New York City, New York. HIPAA-compliant teletherapy sessions are also available.