“Depression Symptoms and Physical Changes ~ Watch Out for These Signs”
Hello, I’m Dr. Sato, a psychiatrist.
Today, I’d like to talk about the early symptoms of depression.
Actually, depression is an illness that can happen to anyone – it’s much closer to us than you might think.
However, early recognition and treatment can make a big difference in the recovery journey.
Today, I’ll explain specifically what changes to look out for in your daily life.
When I listen to my patients, I notice that symptoms appear in various ways throughout the day.
Let me walk you through them in order.
[Morning] ~From Waking Up to Commuting
- Alarm Clock Becomes a Mini-Torture
“Just 5 more minutes…” turns into an hour. An endless loop of stopping the alarm and falling back asleep. Getting out of bed requires full-body strength, as if your body weighs 100kg of lead. Every time you look at the clock, your stomach hurts from anxiety and panic about being late. - Unable to Manage Basic Preparation
“Too troublesome to wash hair” → Resort to dry shampoo
“No energy to choose clothes” → Just wear yesterday’s outfit
“Can’t make breakfast” → Can’t even choose onigiri at the convenience store
“No energy for makeup” → Going to work without makeup more often
“Even brushing teeth is a chore” → Getting by with gum
[Daytime] ~Changes at Work/School
- Decreased Concentration
Taking 30 minutes for a 5-minute email
Excel numbers look like cryptography
Can’t process meeting content
“Um… what was I doing?” becomes a habit
Can’t retain information even when taking notes
Making simple calculation mistakes repeatedly - Decreased Decision-Making Ability
Spending 15 minutes wondering “Single or double-sided copies…”
Unable to type “Understood” in emails
Can’t stop worrying “Is this okay…”
Taking too long for minor decisions
Increasingly checking with supervisors
Unable to do previously routine tasks - Changes in Communication
Can’t respond to “Good morning”
Heart races at phone rings
Colleague’s “How are you?” feels like a heavy question
Can’t join casual conversations
Spending lunch breaks alone more often
Voice becomes quieter, speaking with less confidence
[Evening] ~Life After Returning Home
- Changes in Eating Habits
Case 1: Loss of Appetite Type
Nothing looks appetizing in the fridge
Even favorite yakiniku feels “bothersome”
Getting through the day with just tea
Meal prep goes to waste
Skin problems from nutritional deficiency
Rapid weight loss
Case 2: Overeating Type
Binge buying convenience store food at night
Endless consumption of sweets
Feeling empty even after eating
Guilt over weight gain
Vague memories of meals
Using food to cope with emotions
- Sleep Disturbances
Pattern 1: Insomnia Type
Scrolling on smartphone in bed until 2 AM
Tired but mind too active to sleep
Self-loathing over minor mistakes
Poor sleep onset, staring at ceiling for hours
Suddenly waking up at midnight
Finally falling asleep as alarm rings
Pattern 2: Hypersomnia Type
Can’t get up even after 20 hours of sleep on holidays
“Still sleepy” is the default state
Reversed day-night cycle becomes normal
Immediate sleep after work on weekdays
Tiredness persists despite increased sleep
Can’t do anything but sleep
[Changes in Relationships]
- Changes in Social Media Behavior
Can’t even mark messages as read on LINE
Getting depressed viewing Instagram timeline
Unable to reply to “How are you?” messages
Even opening SNS feels overwhelming
Friend’s happy posts become painful
Growing distant from online gaming friends - Changes in Real-Life Relationships
Can’t say “Let’s meet sometime”
Increasing frequency of canceling plans
Feeling scared to meet people
Unable to answer phone calls
Tend to ignore contact from family
No energy for dining out or social gatherings
Here’s an important point: if these symptoms continue for more than two weeks, it’s a warning sign.
Particularly if you notice changes that interfere with daily life, I recommend consulting a specialist.
Summary:
Major changes in sleep quality and quantity
Extreme changes in appetite
Unable to enjoy anything
Interference with daily life
Increasing self-blame
Significant decline in concentration and decision-making
Withdrawal from relationships
Decreased interest in personal appearance
Finally, I want to tell everyone that depression isn’t a special illness.
It’s a common condition that can affect anyone.
If you recognize any of these symptoms, please don’t struggle alone – reach out to family, friends, or medical professionals like us.
Early recognition and treatment is the quickest path to recovery.
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(Note)
This article’s content is actually based on responses from multiple AI inquiries.
AI responses aren’t necessarily always accurate, so please verify important information yourself.
While I’ve done my best to verify with books and internet research, it may not be perfect and might contain errors. I appreciate your understanding on this point.
Particularly regarding medical information, please don’t just take this article at face value – make sure to consult your primary care physician or a specialist.
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Thank you for reading until the end. I hope this has been helpful to everyone.
Thank you very much!
