What Are The Symptoms Of Depression?
Depression isn’t just “feeling sad.” It can show up in many different ways — some obvious, others quiet and easily missed. If you’ve been feeling off, heavy, numb, or just not yourself, it’s possible you’re experiencing depression. And you’re not alone.
This blog is here to walk you through the common symptoms of depression so you can better understand what’s happening and know that support is available.
Emotional Symptoms
The feelings that often come with depression include:
Low mood - lingering for days, weeks, or even months at a time
Hopelessness - the sense that things won’t ever get better
Guilt or shame - especially about things that aren’t your fault
Irritability - snapping at people you care about, or feeling constantly on edge
Loss of interest - things you used to enjoy now feel pointless or flat
Overwhelmed by simple tasks - even small things can feel too much
Anxiety - feeling nervous or afraid, whether about money, people or for no clear reason
You may not cry all the time. You may still get out of bed, go to work, smile when needed. But inside, it feels like you’re carrying a weight you can’t explain.
Physical Symptoms
Depression isn’t just in your mind, it shows up in your body too:
Tired all the time - even after a full night’s sleep
Changes in appetite - eating too much or not at all
Sleep issues - trouble falling asleep, waking early, or oversleeping
Aches and pains - without clear cause
Low libido - or general lack of physical energy
Our physical, mental and emotional health are all linked - they are one interconnected system. Depression can weaken your immune system, increase inflammation, and raise the risk of conditions like heart disease and chronic fatigue. Over time, the stress chemicals released by low mood can leave you feeling drained, achy, and physically unwell.
Mental and Cognitive Symptoms
Depression can affect how you think and process life:
Rumination - repetitive negative or self-critical thoughts
Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
Feeling foggy or disconnected - from your surroundings, other people or your self
Struggling to make decisions, even small ones
Obsessing over mistakes or past events
These mental loops are tiring and can lead to further exhaustion, in turn disrupting our sleep, our immune function and so the cycle continues.
Behavioural Symptoms
These are the patterns you may notice in how you live day-to-day:
Withdrawing from friends, family, or social situations
Cancelling plans because you just can’t face them
Neglecting responsibilities or letting things slip
Increased use of substances (alcohol, cannabis, cigarettes) to numb feelings
Struggling with work, motivation, or keeping a routine
Sometimes, depression doesn’t look like sadness, it looks like disengagement.
When to Seek Support
If you see yourself in these symptoms, understand depression is not permanent, it is not who you are - it’s a state your mind and body have slipped into and you can shift out of it with the right support. You don’t have to wait until things feel unbearable. Whether you’ve felt this way for weeks, months or years, it is always the right time to reach out.
How Hypnotherapy Can Help
At Evergreen Hypnotherapy, education is imperative, helping you understand what causes depression and what maintains it. Hypnotherapy gives your unconscious mind new, healthier, more resilient ways to respond to life’s challenges.
Hypnotherapy can help with:
Calming the internal noise
Releasing emotional pressure
Reconnecting to joy, purpose, and confidence
Restoring your natural energy and sleep patterns
Building emotional resilience
Fortunately, you don’t even need to leave your home. Online hypnotherapy works just as effectively as in person and you can begin rebuilding confidence and hope from the comfort of your own home.
Final Words
You don’t have to live with this, you don’t have to “figure it out” on your own, and you deserve to live a life that is fulfilling.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward feeling better, I’d love to help.
David Stewart
Evergreen Hypnotherapy
Helping you feel like yourself again.
