How do you know you are depressed? It seems like a weird question as this is something you would be first to detect. But you'd be surprised that quite a large number fails to spot the signs of depression.
The real reason is that mostly people, especially men, consider sadness, feeling low or depressed as a sign of weakness and hence do not want to talk about it.
They treat it as a stigma and are afraid that their close ones may blame them for not being string enough or coping up with life like everyone around is doing. Hence they often feel lost and indulge in self-blame, a habit or state of mind that disables you mentally. Over time when they can't find a solution or a shoulder for comfort, they develop suicidal thoughts as an answer for their feeling of worthlessness. This includes visibly becoming a recluse, irrational anger, constant fatigue, persistent aches and pains and insomnia.
But the signs of depression are not straightforward problems like dealing with something as direct as a fractured bone. Diagnosis is made after a collective of symptoms, like almost half a dozen or more on the list which has been continuing for over two weeks.
Some of these signals are as follows:
Changes in weight: Lack of appetite will lead to weight loss or it could be the opposite as well. That you just can't stop eating all the time to fill up that emotional void.
Sleep issues: Your sleep goes for a toss where you either over sleep or under sleep. You could suddenly end up sleeping for long hours or end up staying awake the whole night. Either way your schedule goes for a toss.
Aches: People do not associate physical symptoms as signs of depression. Constant colds and flu, acidity, a weak immune system, chronic conditions like arthritis, body aches and pains, headaches, cramps or even nausea are often treated singularly and not viewed as a complete whole.
Loss of energy: You get tired easily; fatigue occurs frequently, keep sitting down or move around at a lethargic pace. This is noticeable especially if you are otherwise very active.
Reckless behaviour: This is escapist behaviour of doing things you would never attempt under a normal frame of mind. This includes gambling, participating in dangerous sports or even reckless driving.
Anger: Prolonged depression can lead to intense frustration resulting in you blowing up for the smallest issues ever. Anger is considered as a sign of buried depression and affects not just your health but is also a hindrance when it comes to your dealings with society.
Alcoholism: This is one of the major signs of depression as around 40 percent of depressed individuals struggle with alcohol and drug use leading to liver damage.
Concentration issues: Finding yourself taking way longer than usual at a simple task as you are struggling to stop being distracted by haunting memories or figuring out solutions to a problem at hand, is another factor. If your mind feels numb and helpless for more than two weeks, do not hesitate to ask for professional help.
Problems with work: Concentration issues, giving up easily under stress, sudden inability to multi-task, finding it extremely difficult to get out of bed leading to staying absent most of the times are symptoms of a depressed individual.
Lack of sex drive and interest in daily entertainment: Avoiding sex for a total lack of desire for it over a long period is also a signal that everything is not right. In fact seeing your partner being unhappy at this change of attitude can lead to self-loathing and insecurity. You might also be moody about things you used to enjoy like a walk in the park, meeting your friends every weekend, or continuing a hobby.
Feeling suicidal: This is the major and the most glaring signal that should not be overlooked and psychiatric treatment should be administered immediately. So if you find someone continuously talking about suicide and questioning why he is still alive, things would be better if he want living, sort of given up on fighting to solve an issue that was weighing him down, saying goodbyes and visiting people and sudden preoccupation with death are some of the signs that need urgent attention to tackle this cry for help.
Once you realized you are depressed, start making efforts to break away from that comfortable cocoon of hopelessness you have built for yourself. It's very easy to stay low but extremely tough to stand up and fight. Start with sticking to daily routines, indulging in exercise or going for a break during work hours and making random calls to friends to distract your mind among other things.
The article is particularly written for signs of depression. For more information just go through on signs of depression
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