Recognizing depression and anxiety symptoms

Anxiety and depression are unfortunately a part of everyday life for more and more adults. A recent study by the American Psychiatry Association found that 43% of adults reported feeling more anxious in 2024 than they did the previous year (Source: Psychiatry.org). While life will never be stress-free, anxiety and depression symptoms can peak and cause major discomfort and disruption in your life. Learning how to recognize anxiety and depression symptoms which may be disrupting your life, can help you begin a journey toward healing. 

Common Depression Symptoms

1. Persistent Sadness or Low Mood – Feeling down, hopeless, or empty most of the time.

2. Loss of Interest or Pleasure – No longer enjoying activities that used to be pleasurable.

3. Fatigue or Low Energy – Feeling drained, sluggish, or lacking motivation.

4. Changes in Sleep Patterns – Sleeping too much (hypersomnia) or too little (insomnia).

5. Appetite or Weight Changes – Significant weight loss or gain, or changes in appetite.

6. Difficulty Concentrating – Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.

7. Feelings of Worthlessness or Guilt – Excessive self-blame or feeling like a burden.

8. Physical Aches and Pains – Unexplained headaches, stomachaches, or other pains.

9. Thoughts of Death or Suicide – Recurrent thoughts about dying or self-harm.

Common Anxiety Symptoms

1. Excessive Worry – Constant, uncontrollable thoughts about the future or worst-case scenarios.

2. Restlessness or Feeling on Edge – Difficulty relaxing or feeling jittery.

3. Increased Heart Rate – Palpitations, racing heart, or feeling like your heart is pounding.

4. Difficulty Breathing – Feeling short of breath or hyperventilating.

5. Sweating or Trembling – Physical signs of anxiety like sweating, shaking, or dizziness.

6. Muscle Tension – Feeling tightness or tension in your muscles.

7. Trouble Sleeping – Difficulty falling or staying asleep due to racing thoughts.

8. Difficulty Concentrating – Mind going blank or feeling easily distracted.

9. Avoidance Behavior – Avoiding situations that trigger anxiety.

Common Questions

Do I have depression and anxiety?

This article and many other online resources are a great starting point as you learn to recognize depression and anxiety symptoms. However, self diagnosis can be harmful and may cause more difficulty in the long run. If you think you may be experiencing anxiety and depression, talk with a trained mental health professional for diagnosis (insert link to Sabre’s bio). A trained mental health professional can help you identify the root causes of your symptoms and design a treatment plan. 

Do I need to take medication for my depression and anxiety?

Depression and anxiety treatment varies from person to person. The team at Savvy Minds is trained in several methodologies to identify and treat depression and anxiety using medication. If medication is part of your treatment plan, we can tailor the right dosage and monitoring plan for you. 

If you need to speak with a professional about depression and anxiety diagnosis or medication monitoring, please contact us today. You can schedule an appointment with our Charlotte mental health professionals online (insert link to scheduling page).