What are the symptoms of moderate depression?

Generally, symptoms of moderate depression mainly include persistent and hard-to-relieve low mood, loss of interest affecting daily life, significant disturbances in sleep and appetite, exhaustion of energy accompanied by physical discomfort, cognitive impairments, and negative thinking. These symptoms have already interfered with normal functioning and require active intervention. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Persistent and hard-to-relieve low mood: The low mood is no longer a temporary fluctuation; the individual feels sad or oppressed for most of the day, nearly every day, and shows little response to comfort from others or positive events. This may manifest as emotional numbness, indifference, hopelessness about the future, and an inability to self-regulate negative emotions.

2. Loss of interest affecting daily life: There is a complete loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, even basic daily tasks such as eating or bathing may be avoided. Things that previously brought pleasure now seem dull and meaningless, and the person actively withdraws from social interactions.

3. Significant sleep and eating disturbances: Sleep problems include difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, early morning awakening with inability to fall back asleep, or excessive daytime sleeping despite still feeling fatigued upon waking. Regarding eating, individuals may either binge eat in search of emotional comfort or experience loss of appetite and refuse food.

4. Exhaustion of energy accompanied by physical discomfort: There is a constant feeling of physical fatigue; even simple tasks like household chores or walking become strenuous, and exhaustion persists despite minimal physical activity. Physical symptoms are common, such as headaches, chest tightness, gastrointestinal discomfort, and body aches. Medical examinations typically reveal no clear organic cause for these symptoms.

5. Cognitive impairment and negative thinking: Difficulty concentrating, frequent distractibility during work or study, and noticeable memory decline—often forgetting important matters. Thinking becomes slowed, speech may become slower, and individuals fall into intense self-criticism, excessively magnifying their shortcomings and experiencing pronounced feelings of guilt or self-blame.

Symptoms of moderate depression go beyond what can be managed through self-regulation. Friends and family should proactively offer companionship and support, avoiding neglect or dismissal of the patient’s feelings. Patients may try maintaining regular routines and engaging in moderate exercise to improve their condition, but they should also actively seek psychological counseling or professional evaluation. Timely intervention can effectively prevent symptom worsening.