Written by Luisa Kos
Table of contents
Understanding your depression symptoms and how it impacts daily life
Depression is more than feeling low or having a difficult day. It is a mental illness that can affect how you think, feel, and function in your daily life. You may experience a persistent depressed mood, loss of motivation, or find it difficult to enjoy things you once valued. For many people, depression affects energy levels, focus, and relationships, making everyday tasks feel harder to manage.
Whether you are experiencing mild depression or more severe depression, the impact can be significant. Over time, depressive symptoms can interfere with work, social life, and your sense of self. At The Therapist Finder, we understand that people with depression often feel isolated or misunderstood, but with the right support, you can begin to treat depression and regain a sense of control.
Common symptoms of depression
Depression can show up in different ways, and your experience may change over time. While some people notice emotional changes first, others experience physical symptoms or behavioural shifts that affect how they function. If you are living with depression, you may feel:
- Persistent low mood or feelings of sadness
- Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Changes in appetite, including weight gain or loss
- Fatigue or low energy levels
- Low self-esteem or feelings of worthlessness
- Experiencing depressive episodes that vary in intensity
- Withdrawal from social interactions or daily responsibilities
- Thoughts about death or suicidal thoughts
- Feeling disconnected from others or your environment
If you recognise these other symptoms, it may be a sign that you are experiencing depression. Reaching out to a mental health professional through The Therapist Finder can help you understand what you are going through and begin your recovery.
Are there any physical symptoms of depression?
Depression does not only affect your emotions. Many people also experience physical symptoms that can feel just as challenging. These may include physical aches, low energy, or ongoing fatigue that does not improve with rest.
In some cases, depression can link to chronic pain or worsen existing medical conditions. You might also notice changes in sleep, appetite, or overall physical wellbeing. These symptoms can make it harder to recognise depression, especially when they appear alongside other health concerns.
Understanding the connection between your mental and physical health is important. At The Therapist Finder, we help you connect with therapists who recognise how depression can affect your whole body and support you in managing both emotional and physical experiences.
Depression in children and teens
Depression can affect young people differently than adults. Children and teenagers may struggle to express how they feel, and symptoms may appear as irritability, withdrawal, or changes in behaviour. Experiences such as physical or sexual abuse can increase depression risk and contribute to long-term mental health problems.
Early support is important. When young people develop depression, it can affect education, relationships, and emotional development. Finding the right support through The Therapist Finder can help identify challenges early and provide guidance tailored to their needs.
Depression in adults
In adults, depression often presents as ongoing low mood, fatigue, and difficulty managing responsibilities. Many people continue with work and daily life while struggling internally, which can make it harder to seek help.
Depression and anxiety often occur together, and adults may also experience related conditions such as panic disorder or anxiety disorder. Without support, symptoms can persist or worsen, increasing the risk of chronic depression or recurring major depressive episodes.
What causes depression?
Depression is a complex condition, and there is rarely a single cause. A combination of psychological factors, biological influences, and life experiences can contribute to developing depression. Some triggers can include:
Childhood experiences
Early experiences can shape how you respond to stress and emotions. Negative experiences during childhood may increase the likelihood that you will develop depression later in life.
Life events
Major life changes or stressful situations can trigger depression. This may include loss, relationship breakdowns, giving birth or becoming pregnant, or ongoing stress.
Styles of thinking
Negative thinking patterns, including low self-esteem or self-criticism, can contribute to depressive symptoms and maintain a depressed mood.
Other mental health conditions
Conditions such as bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, or other psychiatric disorders such as PTSD can increase vulnerability to depression.
Physical health issues
Certain medical conditions, including thyroid disorders, can contribute to symptoms of depression and impact your mental wellbeing.
Family history
If depression or other mental disorders run in your family, you may have a higher likelihood of experiencing similar challenges.
Specific medications
Some medications can affect mood and increase the risk of depression as a side effect.
Recreational drugs and alcohol
Substance abuse can worsen symptoms and make it harder to manage depression effectively.
Sleep, diet, and exercise
Lifestyle factors can play a role in mood regulation. Poor sleep, diet, or lack of exercise can contribute to experiencing depression.
Living With Major Depressive Disorder
Living with major depression or persistent depressive disorder can feel overwhelming, especially when symptoms continue over a long period. You may find it difficult to stay motivated, maintain routines, or feel hopeful about the future.
However, depression can be managed with the right support. At The Therapist Finder, we connect you with professionals who understand mood disorder conditions and can support you in managing chronic depression through structured and personalised care.
How Is Depression Diagnosed?
Depression is diagnosed through a comprehensive assessment by a qualified professional. This may include discussing your symptoms, experiences, and how long they have been affecting your life.
A medical diagnosis considers both emotional and physical aspects, including how your symptoms align with recognised mental health problem criteria. Your GP or therapist may also explore underlying medical conditions or contributing factors.
At The Therapist Finder, we help you connect with experienced professionals who can guide you through the diagnosis process and recommend appropriate mental health treatment.
Treatment options
There are a range of effective treatments available to support recovery. The right approach will depend on your needs, symptoms, and circumstances. At The Therapist Finder, you can explore psychological treatments and connect with therapists who specialise in depression.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
CBT helps you identify negative thought patterns and develop healthier ways of thinking. It is one of the most widely used approaches to treat depression.
Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
IPT focuses on improving relationships and communication patterns. It helps address social and emotional factors that contribute to depression.
Behavioural activation
This approach encourages you to re-engage with activities that bring meaning or enjoyment. It supports gradual changes that improve mood and reduce withdrawal.
Individual problem solving
Problem-solving therapy helps you break down challenges into manageable steps. It builds confidence and supports practical solutions.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy
This approach explores past experiences and emotional patterns. It helps you understand how earlier events may influence your current feelings.
Medication may also be part of your initial treatment, and some people benefit from antidepressant medications alongside therapy. A combination of approaches can often provide the most effective results.
Get help from the right place with The Therapist Finder
If you are experiencing depression, you do not have to manage it alone. The Therapist Finder helps you connect with qualified professionals who understand how depression affects your life and can support your recovery.
Through The Therapist Finder, you can access talk therapy, explore treatment options, and find a therapist who fits your needs. Whether you are experiencing less severe depression or moderate or severe depression, support is available to help you move forward.
Therapy helped me understand that depression is not a sign of weakness. It’s an illness, and like any illness, it needs treatment, care, and management.
Find a specialist now
Finding the right therapist can make a meaningful difference in your recovery. At The Therapist Finder, you can explore experienced professionals who specialise in depression and related conditions.
Take the next step today with The Therapist Finder and connect with a therapist who can help you understand your experiences, develop coping strategies, and work towards lasting change.
Farah Chowdhury
BACP-registered integrative counsellor and psychotherapist, and the founder of A Space for You Counselling. She works from locations in Kings Cross and West Hampstead in London, and offers outdoor therapy in Mill Hill and online sessions via Zoom. Farah is a South Asian Muslim therapist with a background in publishing, mental health research, and communications, and is a member of the Black, African and Asian Therapy Network (BAATN). Her practice is culturally attuned, anti-oppressive in its foundation, and particularly focused on supporting Global Majority adults with intergenerational trauma, cultural identity, imposter syndrome, complex relationship patterns, burnout, and the psychological impact of racism and discrimination. She brings a relational, integrative approach that treats the therapeutic relationship itself as central to the healing process.
Bjorn Ventris
Some issues I help clients with include: improving communication, dealing with conflict, long term commitment, consensual non-monogamy, infidelity and rebuilding trust, improving intimacy, mismatched or low desire, working to end relationships on good terms, , stepfamilies, erectile dysfunction, rapid or retarded ejaculation, pain during sex, vaginismus, problematic pornography use ; compulsive sexual behaviour.
Marina Palmer
I am a BACP Accredited Counsellor with twelve years’ experience, offering individual counselling to adults, aged 18 and above. Welcome!
You may be looking for someone to talk to because you feel anxious or worried for what feels like too much the time. Maybe you are more tearful than usual, or you feel flat or low. You don’t feel like yourself anymore. This might be for any number of reasons: you might have experienced adversity, such as a bereavement, the end of a relationship, the loss of a job or the diagnosis of a health condition. You may be feeling stressed at work or at university, suffering from burnout, or you might be overwhelmed with caring responsibilities. You might be struggling with your friendships; with your partner, your parents or a sibling. Or you may simply feel stuck but not know why. Perhaps you have experienced past trauma – you were bullied at school, or you were involved in an accident, or there were problems within the home. You may have experienced abuse or neglect. Together we will seek to understand how your experience has impacted you, so that you are able to make the positive changes needed to move forward with your life. Whether you are facing one of the issues above or another that’s not listed, or you simply want to talk to someone outside of your day-to-day life in order to gain a different perspective, my aim is to support you as best I can. Whatever your reason for reaching out for help, I am available either in person or by video, to talk it through with you.
James Crossland
I am an integrative counsellor and founder of Crossway Therapy, working with individuals and couples. I have experience supporting people through relationship and attachment difficulties, childhood trauma, and patterns rooted in early relational experiences. My work also includes anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, addiction and problematic behaviours, burnout, and major life transitions.
Before qualifying as a counsellor, I spent many years working as an international music producer. Having worked within creative and performance-driven industries, I understand the pressures of self-employment, uncertainty, perfectionism, creative blocks, and balancing ambition with wellbeing. This experience informs my work with creatives, freelancers, and professionals seeking greater fulfilment in both their personal and working lives.
Giorgia Cagnoli
I predominantly work with adults and adolescents and I treat conditions such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, trauma and personality disorders. I support people who struggle with mental health difficulties and feel stuck in dysfunctional patterns, and I help them to make a change in their life. My special interests are relational difficulties, neurodiversity, traumas and emotion regulation.
Áine Hayes
I have been working as a therapist for almost 30 years and have a background in mental health and in the charity sector, working with a wide range of issues. I currently work in private practice as a therapist and supervisor, and I teach on therapy trainings.
Anna Frazer
I trained at The Minster Centre and the University of East London (PGDip Integrative Counselling and Coaching, distinction). My experience includes working with undergraduates as a Counsellor at Ravensbourne University. I have bachelor’s (hons) and master’s degrees in other fields. I have twenty years’ experience working in a range of roles in charities and social enterprises, and volunteering at a food bank. I am a member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and work to their ethical framework. My practice is inclusive.
Adetoun Adams
I support adults navigating the emotional impact of serious illness, life transitions, and relationship challenges. My work is particularly focused on those facing or recovering from cancer, as well as individuals and couples seeking deeper emotional clarity, resilience, and change.
Mandi Simons
BACP-registered psychotherapist, counsellor, family therapist, and CBT therapist with over 20 years of clinical experience. She holds a BACP-accredited Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy, a BA (Hons) in Social Sciences, and a postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health. In addition to private practice, she has worked in the NHS as an Approved Social Worker and Approved Mental Health Professional, and with the Care Quality Commission as a specialist Mental Health Advisor. She leads a multi-disciplinary practice in Hampstead.
Madeleine Roantree
Life can become difficult for many reasons. You may be feeling anxious, overwhelmed, low in mood, stuck in unhelpful patterns, struggling in your relationships, or trying to make sense of a neurodivergent way of experiencing the world. Whatever brings you to therapy, I offer a compassionate, non-judgemental space where we can work together to understand what is happening and find a way forward. I believe that lasting change comes from both understanding ourselves and developing practical ways to manage life’s challenges. Using a range of therapeutic approaches, and neurofeedback where appropriate, I help people improve their emotional wellbeing, strengthen relationships, increase self-awareness, and create lives that feel more authentic and fulfilling.