According to the World Health Organization, more than 280 million people worldwide suffer from Depression. Depression is known to be the most common mental illness that affects a person’s ability to perform their regular tasks. Although persistent sadness is the most common symptom of Depression, some other possible symptoms of Depression vary from person to person. Early diagnosis can prevent severe or acute Depression. However, diagnosing an individual with major depressive disorder may become difficult.
Sometimes, people don’t even recognize that they are experiencing the most severe stage of depression. Consequently, they often fail to achieve a speedy recovery. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide for identifying the symptoms of depression. Therefore, let’s find out what signs of depression you must spot and take seriously. We hope this article enlightens you about all the possible symptoms of depression.
What is Depression?
To identify the different symptoms of depression, you must gather enough insights about it. Firstly, depression is a severe mental illness that badly impacts your thoughts, feelings, and actions. It is primarily known as Major Depressive Disorder. In this condition, a person with Major Depressive Disorder experiences intense sadness and persistent hopelessness, which impacts their ability to participate in regular activities. Moreover, there are a few common symptoms of depression that an individual experiences in their depressive stages.
Signs of Depression
As mentioned, early diagnosis can offer a speedy recovery from Depression. However, to diagnose this severe mental illness, one must have the proper knowledge about its symptoms. Here, we are listing some common symptoms of Depression. We believe it will answer your query for what are signs of Depression.
Stubborn Sadness
Individuals with Depression may experience intense sadness for a prolonged period. They find it difficult to go outside and socialize. Finding joy becomes a significant challenge for people with major depressive disorder. As time passes, they start withdrawing themselves from every joyful activity. In this phase, they often feel no hope for themselves and develop an excessive feeling of hopelessness. Although this condition can be treated with therapy and medications, one may take months, even a year, to get back to their previous depression-free life.
Lack of hope & lost interest
Hopelessness is an evident symptom of Depression, which makes people unable to think about the future. An individual with Depression often feels they have lost all hope, which leads to significant withdrawal from ongoing and future events. They even lose interest in participating in regular events or everyday activities. Eventually, they lose their interest in the activities that once excited them. For example, a sports lover who is suffering from major depressive disorder may lose all their interest in sports news and sports events. They even deny participating in their favorite sports, gradually making them uninterested in anything related to sports.
A massive change in sleeping pattern
Major Depressive Disorder often impacts your sleep routine. It might cause oversleeping, or sometimes it might keep you awake for an entire night. Insomnia is a common symptom of Depression and impacts a person’s ability to sleep at night. On the other hand, some individuals may find it hard to stay awake. They feel sleepy all the time, including during the day. They don’t feel like leaving their bed, which makes them unable to perform their everyday tasks. Such a dysfunctional sleep routine is one of the most visible signs of Depression. Although not every depressed person experiences this symptom, such sudden changes in sleep can indicate Chronic Depression.
Lack of Appetite & huge weight loss
If you are still wondering what are signs of Depression, then let’s talk about the most common ones. Individuals with Depression mostly don’t feel like eating at all. Loss of appetite or hunger often makes them say no to their favorite dishes. Even regular eating becomes a significant challenge for them, eventually leading to rapid weight loss.
Increased Hunger & Sudden weight gain
A recent study has found that about 35% of people with Depression find relief while eating their favorite foods. They often eat a lot, mostly junk and processed snacks. Eating such unhealthy foods in excessive amounts usually triggers significant weight gain. Therefore, sudden weight gain is often considered as a visible symptom of Depression.
Excessive tiredness
Individuals with depression experience excessive tiredness for an entire day. Despite doing nothing, they feel exhausted all the time, which makes them unable to perform any strenuous activity. Sometimes, they even find it challenging to shower, wash their clothes, eat meals and dress up for the day. Such intense tiredness often impacts their ability to maintain life’s natural rhythm, making them feel unimportant and worthless.
Frequent Crying, lower self-esteem & Suicidal thoughts
People who are in a severe stage of Depression might produce visible symptoms like frequent Crying. You might catch them crying without any reason. They often lose faith in themselves, making them feel worthless. They usually feel excessively nervous while performing an easy regular task, making them doubt their capabilities. Such abnormal living pattern often impacts their confidence and lead to poor self-esteem.
If this condition remains undiagnosed or untreated, it can become life-threatening. For instance, individuals in this phase often feel they don’t have any purpose to live. Consequently, they often feel like quitting their life. Moreover, losing hope for the future frequently makes them think there is no point in living anymore and increases suicidal thoughts. As a result, such thoughts usually trigger life-threatening behaviors.
Unrealistic thinking and inability to make a decision
Severe Depression often makes people unrealistic about life choices and living patterns. Despite experiencing such abnormal thoughts and behaviors, they don’t acknowledge the fact that they need treatment. Such irrational thinking patterns often impact their ability to make decisions.
Conclusion
Depression can become life-threatening if it remains untreated. Therefore, one should prioritize their mental health, Seek professionals’ help whenever needed, and adopt a healthy lifestyle. It’s your job to take care of your well-being. Remember to watch out for the above-listed symptoms deliberately and take solid action before they become severe. The correct diagnosis and proper treatment can permanently cure your Depression and restore your life’s rhythm.
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Pamela is a creative content writer and editor with experience working with various multinational agencies. She is known for her dynamic approach and enthusiasm in publishing engaging and insightful articles.
