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People with depressive illnesses do not all experience the same symptoms. The severity, frequency and duration of symptoms will vary depending on the individual and his or her particular illness.

– Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” feelings.

– Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism.

– Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness.

– Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex.

– Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions.

– Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping.

– Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment.

– Fatigue and decreased energy.

– Thoughts of suicide (suicide attempts).

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Moreover, depression often co-exists with other illnesses. Such illnesses may precede the depression, cause it, and/or be a consequence of it. It is likely that the mechanics behind the intersection of depression and other illnesses differ for every person and situation. Anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social phobia and generalized anxiety disorder, often accompany depression. According to studies, it is reported that third out of four people experiencing PTSD are especially prone to having co-occurring depression.

PTSD is a debilitating condition that can result after a person experiences a terrifying event or ordeal, such as a violent assault, a natural disaster, an accident, terrorism or military combat. People with PTSD often re-live the traumatic event in flashbacks, memories or nightmares. Other symptoms include irritability, anger outbursts, intense guilt, and avoidance of thinking or talking about the traumatic ordeal. In a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)-funded study, researchers have identified that more than 40 percent of people with PTSD also had depression at one-month and four-month intervals after the traumatic event.

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Meanwhile, depression also often co-exists with other serious medical illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, hiv/aids, diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease. Studies have shown that people who have depression in addition to another serious medical illness tend to have more severe symptoms of both depression and the medical illness, more difficulty adapting to their medical condition, and more medical costs than those who do not have co-existing depression. Seven researches have yielded increasing evidence that treating the depression can also help improve the outcome of treating the co-occurring illness.