The third Monday in January is often labeled “Blue Monday,” a day that gets branded as the most depressing of the year. After the holidays, gloomy weather, and the lingering pinch of post Christmas bills that can feel like hundreds or even thousands of dollars, it is easy to see why people might feel emotionally stretched. The idea itself was popularized in 2004 by a travel company as a way to boost bookings, but the slower, darker start to the year can still hit hard. Even so, spotting depression in yourself or someone close is not always straightforward, as Express noted.
That is why Professor Ahmed Hankir, a psychiatrist followed by more than 426,000 people on TikTok, says it helps to know what early changes can look like. In a video, he laid out three signs that can show up before someone realizes what is happening. He also stressed that anyone experiencing one or more of these symptoms should consider talking to a qualified professional. The goal is not self diagnosis but earlier awareness, especially when people tend to brush off warning signs as laziness, stress, or a rough week.
The first clue Hankir highlights is a noticeable drop in energy and motivation that goes beyond normal tiredness. “Depression can drain all the energy out of your body.” He emphasized that this exhaustion is not only physical, since people can feel emotionally and mentally depleted too. “Depressed people often do not have the energy or motivation to get out of bed and can easily spend the whole day lying in bed doing absolutely nothing.” When a person’s usual routines suddenly feel impossible, it can be a signal worth taking seriously.
The second sign is losing interest in things that used to feel enjoyable or meaningful. “Someone who is depressed can lose all interest in activities they used to really enjoy, including their favorite hobbies. Depressed people can experience something called anhedonia.” Hankir explained the concept by contrasting it with a word many have heard before. “You may have come across the term hedonism, which is the pursuit of pleasure. Anhedonia is a complete lack of pleasure that you would normally get from, for example, eating your favorite meal or from intimacy with your romantic partner.” This kind of numbness can confuse people because life might look fine from the outside while nothing feels rewarding on the inside.
@profahmedhankir The worst symptom of depression isn’t always sadness. For many people, it’s rumination — traumatic memories replaying on loop. Rumination is common in major depressive disorder and trauma-related conditions. Medication can help some people, but when rumination is trauma-driven, trauma-informed therapy is essential. This isn’t weakness. It’s how an injured nervous system tries — and fails — to protect you. #DepressionAwareness #Rumination #TraumaInformed #MentalHealthEducation #PTSD ♬ Last Hope – Steve Ralph
The third early warning sign Hankir points to is trouble concentrating, which can be more disruptive than people expect. “Depressed people can have difficulty concentrating.” “So much so that they can seem absent or lost.” He noted that conversations can become hard to track when thoughts feel foggy or overwhelmed. “They can struggle to follow a conversation because they are seemingly lost in the whirlpools of their depressed minds.”
In more intense cases, Hankir says the cognitive symptoms can even resemble something else entirely. “In fact, concentration problems in people with depression can be so severe that you might think they have developed dementia, although they actually have not.” He explained that clinicians have a name for this presentation. “The term for that is pseudodementia. Once the underlying depression is treated, usually with therapy and antidepressants, the concentration problems go away.” It is a reminder that mental health can affect thinking and memory in ways that feel scary, even when the cause is treatable.
At the same time, Hankir cautions against jumping to conclusions based on a checklist. “Just because you may be experiencing one or all of these symptoms, that does not necessarily mean you are developing depression.” Lots of issues can mimic parts of depression, including burnout, sleep problems, grief, or medical conditions that sap energy and focus. What matters is the pattern, how long it lasts, and whether it is interfering with daily life. Paying attention early can still help people seek support sooner rather than later.
If someone suspects depression, the article notes that a practical first step is talking with a primary care doctor who can help determine next moves. Treatment can include talk therapy, medication, or a blend of approaches, depending on a person’s needs and symptoms. The same issues can look different from one person to the next, which is why individualized care matters. The piece also notes that people can reach out to mental health organizations for additional support and guidance.
In general terms, depression is more than feeling sad for a day or two, and it is not a personal failure or a lack of willpower. Health organizations commonly describe it as a condition marked by persistent low mood or loss of interest and pleasure that can affect sleep, appetite, energy, thinking, and daily functioning. Anhedonia is one of the key concepts to understand because it can show up even when someone is not visibly crying or talking about sadness. Likewise, brain fog and slowed thinking are often overlooked symptoms, which is why the pseudodementia explanation can be reassuring when someone feels frightened by memory lapses.
Support from friends and family can help, but it works best when it is paired with professional care. Gentle check ins, practical help with daily tasks, and patience can make a difference when motivation is low and concentration is shaky. If you notice a loved one withdrawing from hobbies, struggling to get through the day, or seeming mentally distant in conversations, taking it seriously can be an act of care rather than alarm. Share your thoughts on these early signs of depression and what has helped you or someone you know in the comments.
