"I found that, with depression, one of the most important things you could realize is that you're not alone. You're not the first to go through it, you're not going to be the last to go through it."
Depression is a term often used casually among many individuals. Even though depression is a state of mind, it is much more than that. It is a complex and multifaceted psychological illness. The World Health Organization (WHO) characterized depression as the second greatest cause of disability in the world way back in 1997. The findings of the National Mental Health Survey also highlight that nearly 23 Mn adults would need care for depressive disorders in India at any given time. These statistics highlight the growing concerns regarding depression.
Many people are still shy to show the world that they are depressed. They are not ready to address the issue effectively, which further ruins their mental health. Fortunately, many psychological clinics like Tending Minds encourage people to open up and talk about the problem.
In order to get relief from the disorder, you must know that you have depression. Certain signs and symptoms can help in detecting whether a person has or does not have depression. Here are some of the common symptoms that can serve as prominent indicators of depression. These signs are not to scare you off but to make you more aware about depression. You will feel these symptoms in your day-to-day life when you are battling depression.
Persistent low mood
"I disliked myself so intensely. It was just a mindset. I didn't know how to love myself. I didn't know how to love anybody."
Depression can always cause you to feel low. Everything is happening right but still you feel some kind of void that can never be filled up.
Lack of interest
"I think I had tendencies toward depression from quite young. It became really acute when I was sort of twenty-five to twenty-eight. It was a dark time."
You always feel disinterested. There may be activities that you once felt enthusiastic about but now, you always want to run away or hide from doing anything.
Social Withdrawal
"I had no motivation to do anything or go out. Even with my best friends, I wouldn't want to see them, I wouldn't want to go out and eat with them."
You want to stay alone. You don't want anyone around you. You stop socializing. If these factors are affecting you, it's time to see a counselor.
Worthlessness
"When I had the second surgery (on my foot), I was definitely depressed. I cried all the time. I was miserable to be around."
You start to feel that everyone in this world is doing better than you. You feel stuck. When you are in this phase, you start convincing yourself how bad and worthless you are than others.
Helplessness
"I felt plagued with a negative attitude and a sense that I was permanently in the shade. I'm normally such a bubbly, positive person, and all of a sudden I stopped feeling like myself."
When you are depressed, you might find no way out of this cycle. Everything feels numb and makes you feel helpless. You might start feeling that there’s no one to help. Also, you might get the notion that it will be forever till you get out of this situation.
Fatigue
"Mental health is not a dirty word — we all have mental health like we do physical health, good or ill."
When you encounter depression, you feel extremely tired even after a good rest. It is commonly known as chronic fatigue syndrome. You may either have insomnia or sleep excessively.
Anxiety
"I'm very available to depression. I can slip in and out of it quite easily"
While depression is not directly linked to anxiety, a combination of both can serve as a trigger for increasing stress. When you are anxious, you may feel a plethora of symptoms such as rapid breathing, heavy sweating, nervousness, feeling of panic, trembling, lack of focus, etc. If you feel these symptoms, you are moving towards depression.
Suicidal Thoughts
"Depression doesn't take away your talents—it just makes them harder to find"
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 42000 people died from suicide in the U.S. The most common factor for suicide is depression. Some warning signs can include constant focus on death or planning for ending his/her life through various methods such as cutting or consuming pills.
Changes in Appetite
"I tend to get pretty depressed and I have some issues with anxiety and things like that"
Consistent changes in weight are noticeable during this phase. It can vary person-to-person. One may have an increased appetite and gain weight while the other may starve or not eat much and lose weight.
Steps to Tackle Depression
- 1. Find small things that make you happy
- 2. Strive for workable goals which give you a sense of accomplishment
- 3. Stay in the present
- 4. Meditate
- 5. Exercise and eat right
- 6. Have a good sleep pattern
These steps may seem small but can make a huge difference in tackling depression. However, remember that these are just few steps that can aid, seeking professional help is very important. In case you notice some of the above mentioned signs and symptoms, do not self-diagnose. Please reach out to your nearest mental health professional for help. For more details on coping depression, visit Tending Minds, one of the best psychological clinics in Pune.
