Psychiatry
Symptoms of Depression
Reviewed by the JordanMedHub Medical Editorial Team · 9/13/2026
Quick Answer
Depression affects mood, body, and thinking all at once — here's the full range of symptoms, and the warning signs that need immediate attention.
In this article
Depression's symptoms extend well beyond sadness, affecting mood, the body, and thinking simultaneously.
Emotional Symptoms
Persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness, loss of interest or pleasure in most activities, irritability, and feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt.
Physical Symptoms
Changes in appetite or weight (either increased or decreased), sleep disturbances (insomnia or sleeping too much), fatigue or low energy nearly every day, and unexplained physical aches or digestive problems.
Cognitive Symptoms
Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things, and, in more severe cases, recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
How Many Symptoms Point to Depression
A formal diagnosis generally requires several of these symptoms present most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, and a noticeable change from how the person normally functions — a single symptom alone, or a brief low mood, isn't the same as clinical depression.
Warning Signs of an Emergency
Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, a specific plan, or a sense of having no reason to live are signs of a mental health emergency requiring immediate help.
Seek urgent medical care
If you're having thoughts of suicide or self-harm right now, don't wait to see if it passes.
- Go to the nearest emergency department
- Call Jordan's national emergency number (911)
- Contact a doctor or mental health professional immediately
- If it's safe to do so, stay with someone, or ask someone you trust to stay with you, until you've gotten help
Disclaimer
This guide is for general education only and does not diagnose any individual case. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, seek help immediately from a mental health professional or emergency service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do symptoms need to last to be considered depression?
Generally, several symptoms present most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, along with a noticeable change from normal functioning.
Written by JordanMedHub Medical Editorial Team
Updated 9/14/2026
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