Reframing Depression

Depression is typically understood as a mental disorder characterised by feeling sad, irritable, and empty, and by a loss of pleasure and interest in activities—a ‘mood disorder’ (source).

Physical symptoms, such as pain, weakness, and appetite loss, are often mentioned as ‘other’ symptoms, giving them a less prominent role. This view, however, is misleading, as physical symptoms often are a major part of the symptomatology of depression (source).

Physical symptoms are often not perceived as key symptoms of depression and because they are associated with physical illnesses too, a person suffering from depression may not receive the correct diagnosis (source).

It is therefore crucial that we understand that depression is more than just a mood disorder; it has a complex symptomatology that includes a range of mental and physical symptoms, and every individual experiences a different combination and severity of these symptoms.