When experiencing a depressive episode, a person can try to make changes to their thoughts and behaviors to help improve their mood. Understanding triggers and tackling symptoms as soon as they begin may also help.
Symptoms of a depressive episode can persist for several weeks or months at a time. Less commonly, depressive episodes can last for over a year.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, approximately 17.3 million adults in the United States experienced at least one major depressive episode in 2017.
Read on to learn more about the symptoms of a depressive episode and 12 tips for coping.
Symptoms of a depressive episode are more extreme than typical periods of low mood and may include:
feeling sad, hopeless, or helpless
feeling guilty or worthless
irritability or frustration
fatigue or low energy
restlessness
changes in appetite or weight
loss of interest in things once enjoyed, including hobbies and socializing
difficulty concentrating or remembering
changes in sleep patterns
moving or talking more slowly than usual
loss of interest in living, thoughts of death or suicide, or attempting suicide
aches or pains that do not have an obvious physical cause
For a diagnosis of depression, a person must experience several of these symptoms for most of the day, almost every day, for at least 2 weeksTrusted Source.