Feeling occasionally sad or unmotivated is part of being human. But when those emotions become persistent, overwhelming or start affecting your ability to function, they may signify clinical depression.

National Depression Screening Day on Oct. 9 is a crucial reminder that mental health deserves the same attention as physical health. Still, many adults struggle to determine whether their challenges are “normal” or require compassionate, evidence-based care.

What Is Depression?

Clinical depression is a medical condition that affects your mood, thought patterns, and energy levels. It can change how you think, sleep, eat and interact with others.

Depression exists on a spectrum. For some, symptoms are mild and temporary. For others, it becomes chronic and debilitating, interfering with every aspect of life. Recognizing where you fall on the continuum is critical for getting the help you need to start feeling better.

Well-Known Symptoms of Depression

It may be time to seek a professional evaluation if you’ve experienced several of these symptoms for two weeks or longer.

• Persistent sadness, emptiness or hopelessness
• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
• Fatigue or lack of energy
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Lesser-Known Depression Characteristics

Major depressive disorder doesn’t always look the way people expect it to. For many adults, it can manifest in subtle, unexpected ways.

• Irritability or anger: Some people become frustrated or restless instead of sad.
• Physical symptoms: Chronic pain, headaches, digestive problems or fatigue may appear without an obvious medical cause.
• Emotional numbness: Feeling detached or unable to experience joy, even during positive moments.
• Overfunctioning: Throwing yourself into your work to avoid emotional discomfort.
• Withdrawal masked as independence: Avoiding social contact under the guise of “needing space” or “being fine.”

Everyone experiences depression differently. Your standard baseline may look unrecognizable to someone else – and that’s OK.

Why Professional Screenings Matter

Many people self-assess their mental health by searching for their symptoms online, often watching content shared by creators on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. While self-reflection and awareness are valuable starting points, they are not a substitute for a professional screening.

A depression screening conducted by a qualified mental health provider evaluates your emotional, physical and behavioral symptoms holistically. Professionals can distinguish between depressive disorders, anxiety, bipolar disorder and other conditions with overlapping features – something self-diagnosis often misses.

Getting screened can help you:

• Identify whether your symptoms meet the DSM-5-TR criteria for depression
• Explore underlying causes, such as trauma or stress
• Develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs

When to Seek Help

Consider reaching out to a mental health professional if:

• You’ve felt persistently sad, empty, or hopeless for more than two weeks
• Daily responsibilities feel impossible to manage
• You’ve lost interest in activities or relationships
• Your sleep, appetite, or concentration have changed dramatically
• You’ve had thoughts of self-harm or suicide

Depression is treatable, but it rarely goes away on its own. Seeking help early can prevent symptoms from worsening and make recovery more achievable.

Treatment and Support at Serene Behavioral Health

Serene Behavioral Health provides compassionate, evidence-based care for clients struggling with depression and related mood disorders. Our treatment programs allow you to focus on healing in a supportive environment while receiving:

• Comprehensive assessments and individualized care plans
• Evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy
• Medication management when appropriate
• Holistic approaches to improve your emotional and physical well-being

Everyone experiences emotional ups and downs, but depression is more than a temporary low. If you’re unsure whether your feelings are normal or something more, a professional screening can give you clarity and direction. This National Depression Screening Day, take the opportunity to check in with yourself – and remember that reaching out for help is a sign of strength.