Depression has become a part of the vernacular expression. People tend to use the word to signal blues and sadness. However, there is more to depression than mere unhappiness.
A serious mental health issue, depression disorder is a state of extreme sadness, hopelessness, and darkness that is all-consuming.
People suffering from depression need proper treatment in the form of therapy, medication, or a combination of both. However, not all people realize what they are going through is indeed depression. Lack of timely realization, diagnosis, and treatment can put people through the undue ordeal.
Hence, knowing and watching out for the common signs of depression is important for all.
8 signs of depression to watch out for
1 Hopelessness
People who are depressed tend to be hopeless. In extreme cases, this lack of hope can morph into suicidal tendencies as well. Hopelessness might also be masked in feelings of low self-worth and a defeatist mindset.
2 Sleep and dietary changes
People who are depressed experience a change in their sleep cycle; they either sleep too little or too much, but the latter is more likely an outcome of depression.
Furthermore, there are also changes in dietary habits with depression. People may eat a lot or cut back on their food intake.
3 Withdrawing socially
It is harder for depressed people to function in social settings. Hence, most tend to withdraw from their social commitments. They do not like being around people. However, social withdrawal is a dangerous sign of depression, as your loved ones cannot then understand your ordeal and offer you help.
4 Self-hate
Another of the depression symptoms is self-hate. People who are depressed tend also to have low self-esteem and self-worth, making them more prone to self-hate.
Depressed people are more critical of themselves. There is also a lot of guilt associated with this feeling.
5 Lack of control over emotions
People who are depressed have a tough time regulating their emotions. They experience mood swings that they cannot control, only live through. Alongside being frustrating, it also is extremely painful to deal with.
6 Loss of interest in activities that you once enjoyed
Depression causes a profound feeling of sadness that does not go away, no matter what. Even if you do activities that you once used to enjoy, you do not get any joy out of them.
It also sets depression apart from blues and run-of-the-mill sadness; in the former case, there is no reprieve whereas, with the latter, you do feel better doing things that are considered pleasurable.
7 Physical pain
Despite being a mental health problem, depression also causes issues with physical health. A common issue are the miscellaneous pains around the body. This chronic physical pain does not have other causes.
8 Stress and burnout
Often, people tend to chalk the signs of depression to stress and burnout. They think due to the challenging times at home and work, they are just undergoing temporary troubling times. What they are not realizing is that the stress, burnout, fatigue, and exhaustion are on account of depression.
