Health · Mental Health · 2 days ago
Psychiatrist highlights subtle changes that may signal depression
Depression can show up as changes in sleep or appetite, losing interest in things, or pulling away from people.
Irritation, trouble concentrating and neglecting personal care can also be signs.
One change alone does not prove someone has depression; a cluster of symptoms and a clear change from usual behavior matter.
Friends and family may notice these changes before the person does.
New York City psychiatrist Dr. Samantha Boardman described nine subtle changes she would monitor in herself as possible signs of depression.
The signs include changes in appetite or sleep, losing interest in enjoyable activities, social withdrawal, irritation, difficulty concentrating, self-neglect, poor posture and rumination.
Boardman called pulling away from friends and family a “huge” warning sign.
She advised looking for a cluster of symptoms and a marked change from a person’s usual behavior rather than drawing a quick conclusion from one day.
The article says 19% of U.S. adults report currently having depression or receiving treatment for it, citing Gallup.
- Who
- Dr. Samantha Boardman, a New York City psychiatrist
- What
- Nine subtle changes she would monitor as possible signs of depression
- When
- Published October 9, 2026
- Where
- New York City; the article also discusses U.S. adults
- Why
- To help identify possible warning signs while cautioning against quick self-diagnosis
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sometimes you are the last to know,
Social Withdrawal
One has to be very careful about quickly putting a label on something and saying, ‘This is who I am, this is what I have,’
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Psychiatrist
- Dr. Samantha Boardman
- Symptoms described
- Nine
- U.S. adults reporting depression or treatment
- 19%, according to Gallup as cited in the article
- Published
- October 9, 2026
- Major symptom described
- Feeling sad for two weeks or longer to the point that it interferes with everyday life
Sources
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