SIGNS OF DEPRESSION
ENDURING SADNESS
- While everyone faces emotional highs & lows in life, depression is characterized by an
enduring sense of sadness which inhabits the mind completely - Depressed individuals feel a sense of utter hopelessness & defeat as if life is completely meaningless
- Such state of mind is different from ordinary unhappiness in that it prevents an individual from functioning rationally & routinely in daily life
- Therefore, depression can be truly incapacitating, which makes it all the more advisable that professional assistance be sought at the earliest on the onslaught of depressive tendencies
SELF-LOATHING ATTITUDE
- Many depressed individuals direct their misery inwards, blaming their own selves for everything that doesn't meet their expectation
- They become extremely self-critical & doubt their capability to achieve anything at all
- Such self-loathing leads to dissatisfaction & frustration, often even guilt at underachievement
or perceived uselessness - This self-loathing attitude, coupled with low self-esteem can produce dangerous thoughts such as suicide being an escape from one’s own worthlessness
LOSS OF INTEREST IN ALL ACTIVITIES
- Depressed individuals find it very difficult to be suitably involved in routine activities at work, home or elsewhere
- Weighed down by their sadness, they cannot bring themselves to concentrate & engage in
any task - When shying away from productive activity, they have all the more time to dwell upon their unhappiness so it's a vicious circle
- Many times, there is even a loss of libido & sexual activity stops being a priority
IRRITABILITY & ISOLATION
- In most instances, depressed individuals lose all their social bearings & are unable to act in a socially appropriate manner
- They are irritable in their interaction with others – no matter who they may be; their family,
friend or boss - This short temperedness & general aversion to social interaction cause those depressed to isolate themselves from others
- They prefer being alone for hours at length, conversing with others only when absolutely necessary
ANXIETY
- This is a by-product of several other symptoms of depression
- Low self-worth, coupled with the inability to do anything productive or even engage with others socially, leads suffering individuals to become more & more anxious
- They worry about both their personal & professional future, feeling certain that they are likely
to fail at both - Some people descend to complete hopelessness with a sense of intense despondency
1. Such feelings of anxiety may be absent
2. They give up completely & are too melancholy to dwell upon the consequences of their
choices
LOSS OF ENERGY
- Fatigue & lack of energy are typically witnessed in depressed individuals
- Their sense of defeat is so severe that they don't feel capable of accomplishing even the smallest tasks
- This is a highly problematic scenario for working professionals who often jeopardize their job
by virtue of their lack of energy & responsiveness - Fatigue, when combined with poor concentration, further hampers the quality of work done
- Thus, depression can have very grave consequences in one’s professional life
DISTURBING SLEEP PATTERNS
- Depressed individuals usually suffer from disturbed sleep patterns as well
- In some cases, they develop insomnia, which only adds to their fatigue, anxiety, irritability
& low energy levels - More often those depressed tend to sleep excessively, remaining in bed for an unhealthy amount of time
- Some complain that they are absolutely unable to leave their bed, feeling extremely lethargic & incapable of movement
CHANGE OF APPETITE & BODY WEIGHT
- Change in Appetite is another typical symptom that is observed in majority of those depressed
- Complete lack of hunger & excessive binge eating, are very common
- The corresponding changes in body weight either lead to significant weight loss or massive weight gain
- These same bodily changes may occur in a person who is merely in low spirits but not depressed
- Depression causes more severe changes wherein a minimum of 5% body weight alteration takes place in just a week
RECKLESS BEHAVIOUR
- With depression, the regular behavioural patterns & tendencies are altered
- Even the most cautious individuals may indulge in reckless, unthinking activity
1. Impulsive shopping
2. I'lll-considered investments
3. Adventure trips
4. Indiscreet sexual activity
5. Substance abuse - People with depression may resort to these, no matter how atypical such actions may be for them
- Such reckless behaviour tends to impact their relationship with other people as well as their professional life
- As mentioned above, depression poses a threat to all aspects of one’s life & should be
treated quickly by seeking aid
SUICIDAL TENDENCIES
- This is perhaps a most telling and dangerous symptom of depression
- People with this mood disorder spend a great amount of time thinking about self-harm
- They are plagued by morbid thoughts & often research extensively on ways & means to
induce death - It is all the more alarming that coupled with their reckless impulsivity, these suicidal tendencies are at high risk of being realized
- So it's highly recommended that a person’s unusual fascination with the idea of death, not be taken lightly, especially if other signs of depression are also observed
- Professional help must be sought immediately to prevent any untoward, life-threatening activity
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