The main signs of depression in adults are a low or empty mood and losing interest in things you used to enjoy, lasting most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks. Other common signs are poor sleep, tiredness, changes in appetite, trouble concentrating, feeling worthless or guilty, and thoughts of death.
Everyone feels sad after a loss or a hard week. Depression is different because it does not lift, and it starts to get in the way of work, family and everyday life. This guide sets out the signs, the ones people often miss, and what to do next in Malaysia.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide or is in danger now, call 999. For someone to talk to, call the HEAL line on 15555 or Befrienders Kuala Lumpur on 03-7627 2929 (24 hours).
The early signs of depression
Depression often creeps in. The first changes are easy to explain away as stress or a bad patch:
- Feeling flat, low or "nothing" most days
- Losing interest in hobbies, friends, food or sex
- Sleeping badly, especially waking very early, or sleeping much more than usual
- Feeling tired all the time, even after rest
- Finding it hard to concentrate or make simple decisions
- Snapping at people, or feeling short-tempered for no clear reason
- Pulling back from friends and family
One of these on its own does not mean depression. What matters is how many there are, how long they last and how much they change your life.
The full list of symptoms
The WHO and the NHS describe the signs of depression in three groups.
In your mind and mood
- Continuous low mood or sadness
- Feeling hopeless or helpless about the future
- Low self-esteem, guilt or feeling worthless
- Feeling tearful, irritable or anxious
- No motivation, and no enjoyment from life
- Thoughts about dying, self-harm or suicide
In your body
- Moving or speaking more slowly than usual
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Lack of energy
- Unexplained aches and pains
- Low sex drive
- Disturbed sleep
In your daily life
- Avoiding friends and going out less
- Dropping hobbies and interests
- Problems at home, at work or in the family
When low mood becomes depression
Doctors look for two things: how long it has lasted and how much it gets in the way. A low mood that lifts after a few days is part of life. Symptoms that last most of the day, nearly every day, for more than two weeks are a reason to see a doctor.
Some people have a milder low mood that never quite goes away. When it lasts two years or more, doctors call it persistent depressive disorder, once known as dysthymia. People with it often carry on working and caring for others, so they and the people around them may not see it as depression at all.
Signs of severe depression
Depression is serious when:
- You can no longer work, look after yourself or get out of bed most days
- You feel there is no point or no way out
- You think about death, or about ending your life
- You stop eating or drinking properly
These need help today, not next month. Call 999 if anyone is in immediate danger. Otherwise see a doctor as soon as you can, and call HEAL 15555 or Befrienders on 03-7627 2929 for support in the meantime.
Hidden signs of depression
Many people with depression keep going. They go to work, smile and reply to messages, and nobody guesses. Signs that can point to depression hiding under a busy life:
- Working all hours, or filling every spare minute, so there is no time to feel anything
- Drinking more, or using drugs, pills or gambling to switch off
- Constant tiredness, headaches or stomach problems with no clear cause
- Irritability and a short fuse instead of obvious sadness
- Saying "I'm fine" but cancelling plans and going quiet
- Losing interest in the future or in things they used to plan for
Signs of depression in men
Mayo Clinic notes that depression in men may be hidden by unhealthy ways of coping. Men are more likely to show it as:
- Escaping into work, sport or screens
- Problems with alcohol or drugs
- Anger or irritability that gets out of control
- Risky behaviour, such as reckless driving
- Physical complaints, such as headaches, digestive problems and pain
Many men also play down how they feel or avoid talking about it, so the people close to them often notice the behaviour before the mood.
Signs of depression in women
About twice as many women as men experience depression. The signs are the same, but some things add to the risk: severe premenstrual symptoms, perimenopause and menopause, heavy workloads, and caring for children and older relatives at the same time. A woman who has stopped enjoying anything and feels guilty or worn out all the time deserves to be taken seriously, not told she is just tired.
Depression, alcohol and drugs
Alcohol is a depressant. It can make the symptoms of depression worse, and drinking to blot out low mood can turn into dependence. The same pattern happens with sleeping pills, cannabis, syabu and gambling. Our guide to depression and addiction explains how the two feed each other and why they need to be treated together.
If drinking or drug use is part of the picture, that is not a reason to wait. It is a reason to get help for both. Do not stop heavy drinking or sleeping pills suddenly on your own, as withdrawal can be dangerous: see a doctor first.
How common is depression in Malaysia?
The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 found that about 4.6% of people over 15 in Malaysia, around one million people, have depression. The number doubled between 2019 and 2023, and the rate was highest among adults in their twenties, at 7.6%. You are far from alone.
What to do if you see these signs
- Talk to someone. A partner, a friend, or a helpline. HEAL 15555 offers emotional support and counselling, and Befrienders Kuala Lumpur answers 24 hours on 03-7627 2929.
- See a doctor. A GP or your nearest government health clinic is a good first step; the Ministry of Health offers mental health services at more than 1,000 health clinics. The doctor will ask about your mood, sleep and daily life, may use a short questionnaire, and may do blood tests to rule out physical causes such as thyroid problems.
- Know that it is treatable. Talking therapy is the first treatment for depression, and medication can be added for moderate or severe depression.
- Be honest about drinking, drugs or gambling. It changes what treatment is right.
If you are worried about someone else, our guide on how to talk to someone about getting help has words you can use.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 5 signs of depression?
Five of the most common are a low mood most of the day, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, poor sleep, constant tiredness, and feeling worthless or guilty. Trouble concentrating, appetite changes and thoughts of death are also common.
Can you have depression and still go to work?
Yes. Many people with depression keep working and looking after their families. Their low mood shows in tiredness, irritability, drinking more or pulling away from people instead.
Is it depression or just stress?
Stress usually eases when the pressure eases. If low mood and loss of interest last most of the day, nearly every day, for more than two weeks, or stay after the stress has passed, see a doctor.
Is there a test for depression?
There is no blood test or scan for depression itself. A doctor makes the diagnosis by talking with you, often with a short questionnaire such as the PHQ-9, and may do blood tests to rule out other causes.
Does depression go away on its own?
Mild low mood can lift on its own. Depression that has lasted weeks or months usually needs treatment, and the sooner it starts, the better.
How Salus can help
Salus is a voluntary, 90-day residential programme for adults aged 18 and over in Cyberjaya, Selangor. We help adults whose depression comes together with drinking, drugs, gambling or another addiction, with treatment alongside medical care. Read more about our dual diagnosis treatment, or see our drug rehabilitation centre in Malaysia page if drugs are part of the picture.
If you would like to talk it through, in confidence and with no obligation, contact Salus.
This article is general information, not medical advice.
