What Are The 5 Symptoms of MDD?
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mental health condition that affects how someone feels, thinks, and functions. It goes further than just feeling temporary sadness or stress. It can interfere with work, relationships, and make it difficult to keep up with normal daily routines. Symptoms of MDD can vary for different people, but there are common signals that doctors look for. Understanding the main symptoms can help you recognize if you could be suffering from MDD and know when it’s time to seek help.
How Doctors Diagnose MDD
Doctors use a guide called DSM-5 to diagnose depression. Meeting the criteria for MDD requires a person to have at least five of the nine possible symptoms for most of the day, every day, for at least two weeks. One of the symptoms must be a depressed mood or a loss of interest. Here are the five most common symptoms people with MDD experience.
1. Depressed Mood Most of the Day
This does not always mean crying. It can mean feeling a steady, low mood that does not go away. Some people describe a feeling of numbness or feeling flat. Others feel a sadness that just hangs over them all the time.
2. Loss of Interest
You may not find pleasure in the things you used to care about. Hobbies you used to enjoy, like cooking, music, running, or hanging out with friends, may no longer feel enjoyable. Depression can cause you to lose the ability to connect with the things you once loved or things that made you feel like yourself.
3. Feeling Constantly Tired or Low Energy
Depression can make your body feel weighed down and heavy. Brushing your teeth, getting out of bed, or taking a shower can feel almost impossible. Simple tasks can make you feel overwhelmed, and no matter how much rest you get, it doesn’t seem to help. You may feel tired right after waking up, and it lasts the whole day.
4. Sleeping Problems
MDD often disrupts sleep patterns. You could have a hard time falling asleep, wake up too early, or sleep more than you usually do. Some people sleep for over ten hours and still don’t feel rested.
5. Appetite or Weight Changes
You may notice you are eating way more or less than usual. Some people completely lose their appetite. Some people notice losing weight without meaning to, and others turn to food for comfort and gain weight. The key here is that eating habits are shifting, most likely from stress and imbalance.
Other Symptoms to Look For
In addition to those five symptoms, people with MDD may also:
- Find it hard to concentrate
- Feel guilty or worthless for no clear reason
- Have thoughts of suicide
Not everyone has to experience all of these symptoms to have depression. But if any of these apply to you and present most days, you should reach out to a professional.
What Should You Do Next?
You don’t need to be in crisis to seek help, and depression can’t be something you just tough out. If you feel your mood or energy has changed and it’s affecting your daily life, then it’s reason enough to talk to someone.
Getting help early on can help you prevent symptoms getting worse. With the help of a professional, you can take the first step today to get your life back.
How MDDCare Can Help
MDDCare makes it easier to take the next step. You can use the site to find clinics near you that offer depression treatments, even treatments like TMS and Spravato, which are often used when medication and therapy haven’t worked. Visit MDDCare.com to explore your options today.