Know What to Look For: Hidden Signs of Depression
We all feel sad from time to time. Some days, we may only have enough energy to lay in bed and binge Netflix. On other days, we may go to work and see our friends, but deep down, something feels off. It’s not always easy to see the hidden signs of depression. Am I sad? Am I tired? Or am I depressed? In this article, we’ll discuss what it’s like to live with depression so you can either help a loved one or receive support for yourself. Increasing your awareness is key.
Know What to Look For: Hidden Signs of Depression
Understanding Depression
Depression can feel like you’re moving through molasses. The world slows down, you feel exhausted, and everything feels challenging. Or you might feel like you’re functioning okay, but your thoughts and beliefs say otherwise. For example, you feel angry, easily annoyed, have a bad mood, and believe no one understands you.
Like all mental health disorders, depression doesn’t affect everyone the same. Yet, major depressive disorder, one of the most common types of depression, affects more than 8% (21 million) of American adults each year. That’s quite a few people suffering. So, knowing how you or someone else is experiencing depression is important
Common Symptoms of Depression
What are the three main symptoms of depression? You might already be familiar with them. According to the DSM5, the following symptoms typically last longer than two weeks:
1. Persistent feeling of sadness or low mood: Feeling sad, empty, or hopeless most of the time.
2. Loss of interest or pleasure: Decreased interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable.
3. Significant weight loss or gain: Unintentional weight loss or gain, or changes in eating habits (increase or decrease).
Subtle Emotional Signs & Cognitive Changes
What are the three main symptoms of depression? You might already be familiar with them. According to the DSM5, the following symptoms typically last longer than two weeks:
Did you know hidden depression or concealed depression is often called “Smiling depression”? It’s because we frequently use our smile as a forcefield. It’s our weapon of protection to hide our vulnerability.
Yet, sometimes, we go to great lengths to never reveal when we’re feeling blue that we can become confused if the smile is real or if we’re just in survival mode.
Apart from the smile, there are other slight emotional and cognitive changes that impact your mental health.
8 Hidden Signs of Depression and How to Spot Them
Increased Sensitivity
Feeling more sensitive to criticism or rejection, even if it’s not intended.
During a team meeting, a manager gives constructive feedback on a project. Even though the input is meant to be helpful and delivered kindly, an employee feels deeply hurt and upset. They dwell on the comments, interpreting them as a personal failure. This heightened sensitivity makes it hard for them to concentrate, and they feel anxious and insecure as a result.
Emotional Numbness
Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected from others, where things that used to evoke strong emotions now feel non-existent.
A person attends a friend’s birthday party, an event that used to bring them joy, but now they feel detached and indifferent, unable to share in the excitement or happiness of the occasion.
Increased Irritability
Reacting more strongly to minor frustrations or becoming easily annoyed.
A coworker asks an employee a simple question, but they snap at them and continue to feel annoyed by the situation, even though it was a minor issue.
Persistent Guilt or Self-Blame
Feeling excessively guilty or blaming oneself for things that may not be entirely within their control.
An individual forgets to reply to a friend’s text message and spends the entire day feeling guilty, blaming themselves for being a bad friend, even though it was a simple oversight.
Difficulty Coping with Stress
Finding it harder to handle everyday stressors or feeling overwhelmed by small tasks.
A loved one receives a small, unexpected bill in the mail and feels completely overwhelmed, unable to figure out how to handle this financial stress without panicking.
Loss of Motivation
Losing interest in hobbies or activities that were once enjoyable, without necessarily feeling sad about it.
A friend used to love painting, but now their art supplies sit untouched for months. They don’t seem sad about it, just unmotivated to pick up a brush.
Difficulty Expressing Emotions
Finding it challenging to express emotions or feeling like emotions are bottled up inside.
During a conversation with a close friend, they want to share how they’ve been feeling lately but find themselves unable to articulate their emotions, feeling stuck inside.
Negative self-talk
Negative statements or beliefs impacting self-esteem, relationships, work, and other areas, sometimes even leading to suicidal thoughts or thoughts about self-harm.
Negative self-talk is one of the biggest signs of hidden depression. For example, while working on a project, you notice a colleague makes a small mistake and immediately starts to make comments such as, “I’m so stupid. I can never do anything right.” Research also shows those with depressive symptoms persist in negative self-thinking despite changes to their life, showing resistance to positive experiences that might otherwise shift their outlook.
Behavioral Indicators of Depression
Observe any shifts in behavior. A person struggling with depression might start behaving differently from their usual selves, even if they don’t seem sad or overly tired.
While a single change doesn’t automatically indicate hidden depression, multiple changes occurring simultaneously can be a sign of emerging depression symptoms.
Keep an eye out for the following signs to better understand you or a loved one’s mental health.
Trouble focusing, remembering details, or making decisions
A typically organized colleague starts missing deadlines and forgets important tasks, often appearing distracted during meetings.
Feeling restless, pacing, or being unable to sit still
A friend who used to enjoy relaxing with a book now constantly fidgets, paces around the room, and seems unable to settle down.
Avoiding social activities, friends, or family
A usually outgoing family member begins declining invitations to gatherings and rarely answers calls or messages, preferring to stay home alone.
Engaging in risky activities, such as substance abuse
A cautious person suddenly starts driving recklessly, experimenting with drugs, drinking more or making impulsive financial decisions without any thought to the risks.
Crying for help, only to say never mind later
A friend confides in you about feeling overwhelmed and hints at needing help, but when you offer support, they quickly backtrack and insist they’re fine, and it was just a moment of weakness.
Loss of interest in sex
A partner who previously had a healthy interest in intimacy starts avoiding physical closeness and shows little to no interest in sexual activity without any clear reason.
Physical Manifestation
Beyond emotional and behavioral changes, there are physical symptoms that go unnoticed, such as a persistent feeling of discomfort or pain. These can be signs of concealed depression, which may not be immediately visible but still significantly impact your well-being.
Sleep problems, such as insomnia (difficulty sleeping) or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping)
There’s always been a relationship between depression and sleep problems. Research shows those with depressive symptoms have a higher risk of insomnia, and insomnia is greater in those with depressive symptoms compared to those without.
For example, you may have a friend who used to sleep well but now spends hours tossing and turning at night, frequently mentioning how tired they are during the day due to lack of sleep. On the contrary, a typically active roommate starts sleeping for unusually long hours, taking frequent naps, and still feels sleepy throughout the day.
Unexplained physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive issues, or chronic pain
A family member who was generally healthy started complaining of frequent headaches, stomachaches, or unexplained aches and pains. Despite multiple doctor visits, no physical causes or health conditions are identified for their symptoms.
A 2021 study found that improvements in self-perception significantly reduced physical pain and discomfort following successful depression treatment for mental illness.
Self-Care and Management
Someone showing hidden signs of depression might mask their pain with a smile, worry about others’ judgments, or fear the consequences of seeking mental health treatment.
They even may go to great lengths to hide their struggles, making it difficult for them to receive the support they need. If this sounds like you or someone you care about, it’s important to know that compassionate, holistic help is available.
Although there are other hidden signs of depression you may not notice, reaching out and starting a conversation is a crucial first step toward getting the support and care you deserve.
Schedule a FREE consultation with our mental health professionals either in person or remotely from your home. Alternatively, book a FREE call with our intake coordinator for guidance in finding the right therapist for your needs.
A therapist will guide you or your loved one toward a happier, healthier life, helping you build effective strategies for your mental health. Remember, progress is a journey—focus on taking it one day at a time.