March 10, 2020Tyler Collins
Are you suffering from depression? How can you tell if you should seek professional help? These are just common questions that people ask when it comes to the topic of depression. Until now, many people still do not take depression seriously even if it is one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States. Some think that being depressed is something you can just overcome that’s why instead of resolving the condition, many people fall deeper into depression. Those who suffer from depression are also often unaware that they are suffering from it.
But isn’t it normal to feel sad once in a while? You have to take into consideration that being sad and being depressed are not exactly synonymous. What’s the difference? It’s perfectly normal to feel sad or upset in many different situations like losing someone you love, being fired from your job, or getting heartbroken.
Sadness often passes with time and some people can get over their sadness by venting out, having a good cry, or watching a comedy movie. However, if your feelings of misery become unbearable and incessant, to the point of negatively affecting your daily life, then you could be suffering from depression.
People who have had a history of substance abuse often fall into depression before, during or after their period of addiction. Depression is also a common condition during early recovery which could lead to relapse. To determine whether you or a loved one is depressed, here are common signs that you should look for
1. Persistent sadness
Being sad for a day or two is normal, but if your sadness persists for more than two weeks, you should consult with a specialist about your condition. This is very important because if you ignore the gravity of what you are feeling, you might fall into the trap of self-medicating through drugs and alcohol.
Many people who struggle with substance abuse often share that their depression is what caused them to use drugs and alcohol in the first place. If you speak with a doctor, you’ll get professional advice and if medication is required, your doctor can monitor and manage your doses.
2. Loss of interest in things
When you’re depressed, things that once held your interest start to become boring and uninteresting. You suddenly feel indifferent about hobbies or activities that once brought you joy or pleasure.
3. Sleep problems
Depression can manifest in your sleep patterns but it will not always be the same. Some people suffer from insomnia or they have trouble sleeping. Some experience difficulty in having good-quality sleep. On the other hand, some depressed people prefer to do nothing but sleep. They would stay in bed all day instead of doing normal activities.
4. Appetite changes
Just like sleep problems, people who are depressed often experience changes in their appetite. This could either be overeating or under-eating. Some people drown their depression by eating, particularly unhealthy junk food while others lose their appetite altogether.
5. Constant fatigue
If you feel tired all day even if you haven’t done anything physically tiring, this could be another sign of your depression. According to studies, being depressed could make you feel more tired because you just went through an emotionally or mentally draining experience so as a result, normal activities become extra difficult to do. Losing interest in your job or your daily activities also makes it harder to get up in the morning and go on normally. The changes in sleep and eating patterns also contribute to feelings of constant fatigue.
6. Irritability
Being irritable for no apparent reason can be a sign of depression for some people. You may also experience being angry over little things that you wouldn’t normally mind. Irritability also often stems out from not having enough sleep or food.
7. Concentration issues
When you’re depressed, you may find yourself thinking about your issue and what’s causing your sadness, instead of focusing on your day-to-day activities. This could affect the way you perform your work and the way you deal with people.
8. Anxiety and restlessness
When you’re depressed, you are more sensitive about things happening around you. This may be because you’re worried that whatever negative thing that occurred could happen again. This could make you more anxious and restless all the time.
9. Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness
Do you feel that whatever you do, you can’t improve or solve whatever is bothering you? Feelings of being helpless and hopeless are both signs that you could be suffering from depression.
10. Suicidal thoughts
One of the most alarming symptoms of depression is thinking that you can’t go on anymore. If you feel this way at any time, you must speak to someone to help you sort out your thoughts and feelings.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 1-800-273-8255
If you or a loved one is suffering from substance abuse, contact Lighthouse Treatment today.