It’s important to acknowledge that depression feels different for everyone. Still, most people describe it as a deep, heavy sadness that doesn’t go away.

It’s not just about feeling “down” for a day or two because it lingers, making everything seem exhausting, meaningless, or overbearing.

Common feelings in depression

• Emptiness and numbness: It’s like feeling hollow inside, where even things that used to make you happy don’t matter anymore.
• Hopelessness: You might feel like things will never get better, and no amount of effort seems worth it.
• Exhaustion: Even small tasks, like getting out of bed, brushing your teeth, or replying to messages, can feel overwhelming.
• Irritability and restlessness: Some people don’t feel sad but instead get frustrated, easily annoyed, or restless.
• Guilt and self-criticism: You might feel like a burden to others or blame yourself for things that aren’t your fault.

Physical sensations

• Fatigue: Feeling drained all the time, no matter how much you sleep.
• Aches and pains: Some people experience headaches, muscle pain, or stomach issues with no clear cause.
• Changes in sleep and appetite: Sleeping too much or too little, eating excessively or not at all.
• Feeling trapped in your skin: Like there’s a discomfort you can’t shake, but you don’t know why.

Mental and emotional effects

• Brain fog: Having trouble concentrating, remembering things, or making decisions.
• Feeling disconnected: Almost like watching life happen from the outside, rather than feeling part of it.
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide: Some people experience thoughts of wanting to disappear or believing others would be better off without them.
• Feeling like a spectator in your own life: It can feel like you’re just “going through the motions” rather than living.
• Feeling like a fraud: You might feel like you’re just pretending to be okay, even if things look fine on the outside.
• Lack of motivation to do even enjoyable things: Hobbies, socializing, or entertainment might lose their appeal entirely.
• Existential dread: Feeling like nothing matters, questioning the purpose of life, or having a constant sense of doom.
• Feeling like your brain is “slowed down”: Processing thoughts or making decisions can feel impossibly sluggish.
• Overanalyzing everything: You might replay conversations in your head, overthinking even the smallest interactions.
• Difficulty finding words: Some people struggle to articulate thoughts or feel like they can’t express themselves properly.
• Feeling like a “failure” for no reason: Depression can make you feel like you’re not good enough, even with achievements.

Social and behavioral changes

• Feeling disconnected even around loved ones: You might be physically present, but feel emotionally detached.
• Withdrawal from people: Even responding to texts feels like too much effort, leading to further isolation.
• Easily swamped by small tasks: A simple chore like washing dishes or answering an email might seem insurmountable.
• Struggling with self-care: Basic hygiene, eating properly, or just changing clothes can feel like too much.

Sensory and perceptual changes

• Sensitivity to light or sound: Bright lights and loud noises might feel too much, even if they never bothered you before.
• The world feels “muted” or dull: Colors might seem less vibrant, sounds feel distant, and everything feels “flat.”
• Time distortion: Days drag on endlessly, but weeks or months might pass by without your noticing.
• Feeling weighed down physically: Some people describe depression as feeling like they are moving through quicksand.
• Feeling invisible or irrelevant: You might feel like no one notices or truly cares about you, even when they do.
• Believing you’re a burden: Depression can convince you that you’re just “too much,” even when people offer love and support.
• Not recognizing yourself in the mirror: Some people experience a disconnect from their reflection, almost as if they’re seeing a stranger.
• Not feeling “real”: Almost like you’re disconnected from your body or floating through life.
• Memories feel distant or foggy: Recent events might feel like they happened ages ago, or your past feels like it belongs to someone else.
• The future feels nonexistent: It’s hard to imagine anything changing or getting better, making long-term plans feel pointless.

Unexpected reactions and emotional contradictions

• Feeling nothing at all: It might feel like complete emotional numbness instead of sadness.
• Sudden emotional swings: Going from numbness to random bursts of tears or anger without an apparent reason.
• A sensation of relief in destructive behaviors: Some people might feel temporarily better engaging in unhealthy habits, like overspending, substance use, or reckless behavior.
• Lack of emotional response to good news: Something that should make you happy (like a promotion or compliment) might feel meaningless.
• Feeling like happiness is “fake”: If you do smile or laugh, it might feel forced or like you’re playing a role.
• Resentment toward people who seem happy: Seeing others enjoying life might trigger irritation or bitterness, even if you don’t want to feel that way.
• Feeling homesick for a place that doesn’t exist: A deep longing for something you can’t quite describe, like a time in the past or an imagined better life.

Final thoughts

It’s important to remember that depression is not just “being sad” or “lazy.”

Depression is complex, and everyone experiences it differently. If any of this resonates with you, know that you’re not alone, and there is help out there.

It’s a serious mental health condition, but reaching out for support can make a huge difference.