Signs and Symptoms of Depression You Shouldn’t Ignore

There’s a saying that familiarity breeds contempt. When you think you know something well, it can give you the confidence to not pay as close attention as you would under normal circumstances. Experience nurtures skill, but if you’re not careful, it can also nurture complacency. When it comes to a mental health challenge like depression, our familiarity with it can become a hindrance and not a help.

Depression is most often considered to be a deep and unrelenting sadness. While this is true for some people, other signs of depression don’t show up like that. Depression can become easy to miss because you’re looking for the wrong thing. Assuming depression looks only one way blinds you to considering how depression can look and feel different.

Depression in Brief

Depression is more than just feeling sad. When you’re feeling sad, you are typically responding to loss, such as the loss of a loved one or experiencing hardship and failure. Feelings of sadness come and go. There are usually a few things you can do to feel better, like watching comedy, reading a book, or going for a run or hike. You can move forward from sadness.

When it comes to depression, it’s not simply feeling blue. Sadness may be a part of it, but at its roots depression is a mood disorder. Depression affects how you think, what you feel, and even how you act. The symptoms of depression can affect your ability to function day to day, from running errands to taking a shower, exercising, working, or studying.

Depression affects people in different ways. For some it feels like being trapped inside their own body and mind. There may be recurring thoughts and feelings of failure and guilt. It can feel like one’s mind is slow and unclear. Others feel as though they are disconnected from their own emotions. There are different types of depression, including major and persistent depressive disorder, and they affect one’s daily functioning and quality of life.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

When a person is experiencing depression, it affects them in ways that typically diminish their capacity to handle everyday challenges. Depression won’t necessarily feel or look the same for each individual, but some signs and symptoms of depression might easily be mistaken for something else. These often allude people, but are important signs to watch for.

Fatigue or low energy One may be persistently exhausted and find themselves lacking motivation.

Chronic headaches or pain This includes experiences of migraines, tension headaches, or unexplained physical pain.

Changes in sleep patterns or one’s appetite Some depressed people struggle to fall and stay asleep. Others experience excessive sleepiness and the desire to sleep more than usual. Apart from insomnia, depression may also result in changes in appetite. These may then result in unintended weight loss or gain.

Loss of interest Depression often leads to losing interest or pleasure in things that once felt interesting or exciting to do. What follows is withdrawal from hobbies, social gatherings, or interactions with one’s family. Feeling a loss of motivation to do things may also be a sign of depression.

Irritability and mood swings People with depression may become more emotionally reactive. Their levels of frustration may increase, and they will be more irritable and prone to anger outbursts. They may also experience increased anxiety marked by restlessness, worry, or fearfulness. It’s not uncommon for their loved ones to feel like they’ve changed overnight, and they seem angry all the time.

Difficulty concentrating Depression affects how a person’s mind works. It’s not uncommon for a person with depression to have trouble focusing and thinking through a problem clearly. Depression may also result in difficulty in remembering things and in decision-making. Where a person could make decisions relatively easily, they may become chronically indecisive.

Feeling hopeless, empty, and worthless Depression can change your perception of yourself and your circumstances. One may feel worthless, hopeless, and also experience feelings of guilt. Others feel like a burden to their loved ones, which is often the case with older adults struggling with depression. Depression can lead to an overabundance of negative thoughts about oneself and the world around them.

Suicidal ideation Depression may also lead to thoughts of self-harm, death, and suicide. A depressed person may attempt suicide or harm themselves in other ways. These behaviors often function as a maladaptive way to relieve emotional pain.

Changes in sexual desire People struggling with depression may have a low sex drive or issues with sexual performance.

Risk-taking behaviors Substance abuse may become a way of self-medicating. Other risky behaviors, like unsafe sex or risky physical endeavors, can be signs of depression.

Neglect of hygiene When someone feels numb to life, they may begin to neglect their personal care or hygiene.

It’s important to consider that some people mask their symptoms of depression. Masking is when a person hides their depression and any negative emotions that come with it behind a happy facade. In some cases, one might hide their depression by immersing themselves in their work as a way to distract themselves from their emotions. Lastly, depression also looks different between individuals because of cultural and personality differences.

These various signs and symptoms of depression may be easy to miss, or they may be mistaken for something else. This is one reason among many why you should seek professional help as soon as possible. A health professional, like a doctor or therapist, can help diagnose you properly and start you on a course of effective treatment for depression.

How to Help a Loved One

Depression is a common mental health condition that affects millions of Americans every year. This means that in our circle of friends, family, neighbors, and acquaintances, there is likely someone dealing with depression. If you suspect that a loved one may be experiencing depression, be a sympathetic presence in their life. Be a good listener who offers empathy and understanding.

In addition to listening and being a shoulder for them to unburden themselves on, you can also be on the lookout for serious symptoms such as suicidal thoughts or signs of self-harm. You must seek immediate help. You can contact their mental health care provider or another health care professional. In such dire circumstances, you can also let other family members or close friends know what’s happening.

Further, in the case where the person is liable to harm themselves, you can also take steps to ensure safety, like removing weapons or items like medications that could be used to that end. You can call 911 or contact a suicide hotline; call or text 988 or call The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Spanish-language phone line at 1-888-628-9454.

Where a loved one is depressed but isn’t experiencing suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harm, you can talk to them and encourage them to seek out professional help. They can consult with a mental health expert who can walk alongside them. You can also be a source of encouragement for them to take steps toward self-care. Self-care would include things such as eating healthily, getting the right amount of quality sleep, and staying physically active.

You should take steps to ensure your own well-being. It’s good to show up for your loved one, but that doesn’t mean you should compromise yourself and your well-being in the process. Ask for help from others. Find ways to rest and create capacity. Recognize that dealing with depression is a long process.

Treatment for Depression

There are several treatments available to help address depression. These include talk therapy, self-help, and medication. In cases of moderate to severe depression, the treatment plan typically involves all three. With respect to medication, it can take some time to find the right medication and dosage that carries the least impactful side effects. It requires patience and consistency to get the most out of the medication.

If you or a loved one is struggling with depression, do not delay in reaching out for help. Depression is a serious matter, and it’s better if it’s taken care of early on. Recovery takes time, but it’s possible to manage and overcome depression with consistent care and professional support.

If you are in need of a therapist, reach out to our offices today. We have therapists in our practice who are skilled at managing depression in their clients. Begin a healing journey today.