What symptoms do patients with depression have?

Depression, as a common mental disorder, presents with a variety of symptoms. Core symptoms mainly include low mood, loss of interest, sleep disturbances, reduced energy, and cognitive impairments. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Low mood: Patients often experience persistent feelings of sadness, depression, and a lack of pleasure, accompanied by pessimistic views toward life. This emotional state is not a temporary fluctuation but dominates for extended periods. It may manifest as frequent crying, sighing, and an inability to feel enthusiasm even when encountering previously enjoyable activities.

2. Loss of interest: Patients lose interest in activities, hobbies, or interpersonal relationships they once enjoyed. They avoid social gatherings and resist communication with others. Things that used to bring a sense of achievement now seem meaningless. Life becomes dull and monotonous, leading patients to gradually withdraw from family and friends and fall into isolation.

3. Sleep disturbances: Sleep problems are prominent and may include difficulty falling asleep, light sleep, frequent awakenings, or early morning awakening. Some patients, on the other hand, may experience excessive daytime sleepiness. Poor sleep quality further exacerbates emotional issues, creating a vicious cycle that negatively affects daily functioning.

4. Reduced energy: Patients often feel physically and mentally exhausted, experiencing fatigue even without physical exertion. Simple daily tasks such as dressing or personal hygiene may become difficult. Movements may slow down, and in severe cases, patients may be unable to manage basic self-care, significantly impacting work and daily life.

5. Cognitive impairments: Patients have difficulty concentrating, experience noticeable memory decline, are easily distracted, and make more mistakes. Thinking becomes sluggish, and decision-making is often accompanied by indecisiveness. They may doubt their self-worth, have low self-esteem, and frequently experience negative emotions such as self-blame and guilt, along with a lack of confidence.

Family members and friends should provide sufficient understanding and support, encouraging patients to express their inner feelings openly. Helping patients gradually rebuild confidence in life and creating a warm, accepting environment play important positive roles in their recovery.