Symptoms and signs of depression have different meanings.

The way you experience depression can differ based on gender, age, race, ethnicity, and more.

How Do You Know If You Have the Signs of Depression?

Depression is much more than just “feeling sad.”

The symptoms and signs ofdepressioncan be emotional, psychological, physical, and social.

You do not need an official depression diagnosis to seek or begin treatment.

Emotional

Emotional depression symptoms relate to your feelings and moods.

People around you may not recognize them, but you may notice symptoms in yourself.

Some psychological symptoms of depression are:

Thoughts are not observable to outsiders.

Physical

Depression may be a mental disorder, but it can also manifest physically.

Social

Depression can also affect your social interactions and behaviors.

Serious or Emergency Signs of Depression

Depression is a serious mental health condition that can become emergent.

That’s one reason it’s essential to recognize other signs of depression.

How Many Signs of Depression Are There?

Signs of Depression in Females

Depression is more common in females than males.

One factor making depression more common among women is the hormonal fluctuations that women go through.

Pregnancy, childbirth, the menstrual cycle, and menopause cause significant hormonal and bodily shifts contributing to depression.

Signs of Depression in Males

Depression can present differently in men than women.

This includes children and tweens.

Depression can look different among children and teens than it does in adults.

This is important because some psychological, neurological, and physical conditions can cause symptoms similar to depression.

However, depression can present differently among men, women, and gender nonconforming individuals.

World Health Organization.Depressive disorder (depression).

National Health Service.Symptoms - depression in adults.

National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.

2020;5(1):e62-e70.

2014;59(3):120-130. doi:10.1177/070674371405900303

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about suicide.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk and protective factors.

Shetty P, Mane A, Fulmali S, Uchit G.Understanding masked depression: A Clinical scenario.Indian J Psychiatry.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Depression among women.

2018;141(5):e20173845.

2021;6(12):e954-e969.

doi:10.1016/S2468-2667(21)00236-X

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics on children’s mental health.

2016 Apr;55(4):280-8. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2016.01.006

National Health Service.Treatment - depression in adults.