Nine signs of depression: how they differ from temporary low mood

CareOps editorial team · October 9, 2026 · 6 min read

General information and service guidance published by CareOps. This is not an individual diagnosis or treatment plan.

Translated from our Korean guide. Korean public services, insurance, and helpline numbers refer to South Korea. For urgent help elsewhere, contact local emergency services or a crisis line in your country.

Everyone has depressing days. However, if that day continues for a week or two and you don't feel moved by even the things you like, there are things to look into before you write off as 'I'm feeling a little down these days.'

9 early symptoms of depression

The diagnostic criteria used by the psychiatry department is to consider a depressive episode when five or more of the nine below continue for more than two weeks and number 1 or 2 is included among them.

1. Feeling depressed or empty most of the day — Teens often show up as irritable rather than sad.
2. Decreased interest and pleasure — Things you used to like become tiresome and no longer matter.
3. Change in appetite or weight — You have no appetite or, on the contrary, continue to eat.
4. Sleep changes — Difficulty falling asleep, waking up early in the morning, or sleeping all day.
5. Slowness or fidgeting of body and speech — This is noticeable to people around you.
6. Fatigue and lack of energy — Even washing up and preparing meals feels like a big task.
7. Feeling worthless, excessive guilt — I feel like every little thing is my fault.
8. Difficulty concentrating and making decisions — The text is hard to read, and even small choices are overwhelming.
9. Recurring thoughts of death — I keep feeling like I want to disappear.

This list is not meant to be a self-diagnosis. Use it as a guide to deciding when to ask for help. The diagnosis is made through a doctor's interview.

How is it different from just being depressed?

Signs that are easy to miss in the beginning

The beginning of depression often doesn't come with feeling sad. If the changes below overlap, stop and take a look.

• Morning is especially heavy. My eyes open, but my body doesn't wake up.
• Irritability and irritability increase. I get angry when it's no big deal, and I hate myself for being that way.
• My body hurts first. Headaches, indigestion, and stiff shoulders continue for no reason.
• Cancel appointments and avoid contact. Meeting people feels like work.
• I drink more. I drink to fall asleep and stop thinking.
• Lethargy devours the weekend. Even if I rest, I am not satisfied and just end up lying down.

If you feel exhausted and cynical only in work-related situations, it may be burnout. If your joy outside of work has disappeared, take a closer look at depression. The two sometimes overlap.

How common is depression

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 5.2% of adults worldwide suffer from depression. Women experience it about 1.5 times more than men. In Korea, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's 2021 Mental Health Survey, 7.7% of adults experienced depressive disorder at least once in their lives (5.7% for men, 9.8% for women), and in the past year, it was 1.7%.

In the same survey, among people assessed as having a mental disorder, only 12.1% received professional help at least once in their lifetime. Depression is not a rare disease; it is a common disease, but one that few people receive help for.

When to go to the hospital

• When the above signal continues for more than 2 weeks
• When it is difficult to do things you normally do, such as going to work, going to school, or doing housework
• When you get little sleep or when the amount you eat changes significantly
• When feeling depressed for more than two weeks after giving birth
• When you have thoughts of death or disappearing

Health insurance applies to mental health treatment. If you are hesitant about medical records, read Where psychiatric records are kept and who can see them, and if you are curious about counseling costs, read Article on psychological counseling costs.

Things you can try yourself

The methods below can help with mild depression. However, if the symptoms are severe, do not endure this alone, but combine it with treatment.

• Make small moves instead of waiting to feel better — Motivation follows action. The method is summarized step by step in An article on overcoming lethargy.
• Stick to your waking up time — If your sleep is disturbed, your mood will also be disturbed. Please refer to article about sleep.
• Walk 10 minutes a day — Sunlight and body movement are the easiest places to start.
• Speaking to one person — Just saying ‘I’m having a hard time these days’ is enough. The moment you speak, you won't be alone.
• Don't drink alcohol — Alcohol covers you up for a little while, but it brings down your mood the next day.

This article provides general information, not diagnosis or treatment. For urgent help, contact local emergency services or a crisis line in your country. In South Korea, the suicide prevention helpline is 109 (24 hours), and the mental health crisis line is 1577-0199.