Depressive symptoms refer to the indications or signs that a person may be experiencing depression, which is a mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness and worthlessness. These symptoms can manifest in various ways such as loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, changes in appetite and sleep patterns, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, thoughts of death or suicide, feelings of guilt or shame, lack of motivation or energy, and physical pain with no apparent cause. The presence of one or more depressive symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has depression; however, it can be an indication that they may need to seek professional help for further evaluation and treatment.