Depression is one of the mental health conditions that causes a chronic feeling of sadness and the way you think, sleep, eat, and act will be completely changed. There are also different types of depression, but fortunately, depression is a treatable condition with therapy or medication. Further, this blog will elaborate, on the possible ways to tell if someone has depression.
What is depression?
Depression is nothing but a mood disorder, then you will be in chronic sadness, and you will feel like losing interest in activities once you enjoyed doing it. You will also find it difficult to think, eat, and sleep.
It is completely normal to feel sad in certain circumstances like losing a job or when divorced, but depression is something different, it persists for days and weeks and involves other signs. Also, there are several types of depression including clinical depression, or major depressive disorder, which is often known as “depression.” It is the most severe type of depression.
When not getting appropriate treatment at a suitable time can worsen the depression and make it last longer. Even in advanced cases, it can lead to self-harm like suicide. The good thing about this condition is, that the symptoms of this condition can be treated effectively, so reach out to the best psychiatric hospital in Coimbatore for better results.
Who is affected by depression?
There are no criteria for depression, so anyone can be affected by depression, that is right from children to adults. Notably, women and those who are assigned female birth are more prone to depression when compared with men and those assigned male birth. At times, already existing conditions can also lead to depression, such as:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Stroke
- Multiple sclerosis
- Cancer
- Seizure disorders
- Macular degeneration
- Persistent pain
Simply, most of us think that depression is one of the most complex and annoying conditions, and also depression is one of the common conditions. An estimated, 3.8% of the global population going through depression, also 5% are adults, and 5.7% are elderly people over the age of 60. Nearly, 280 million individuals in the world have depression. Notably, depression is more common among women than in men.
What are the symptoms of depression?
The signs of depression greatly vary based on the type, and range from mild to severe. The general symptoms include:
- Feeling of sadness, hopelessness, and worry. Also, both children and adults with depression feel irritated rather than sad.
- Unable to enjoy the things that bring happiness.
- Easily getting irritated and frustrated.
- Abnormal eating like binge eating or less eating, which may lead to weight gain or loss.
- Trouble sleeping or oversleeping.
- Fatigue or having low energy levels.
- Feeling difficult to concentrate, make decisions, or remember things.
- Going through physical problems like headaches, stomach pain, or sexual dysfunction.
- Often getting suicidal thoughts.
What are the 7 ways to tell someone is depressed?
The causes of depression may vary from person to person, but the common signs to find that someone is under depression include:
1) Loss of interest:
Depression will segregate all your enjoyment and pleasure out of the things that individuals love. Losing interest in activities that you once enjoyed performing like sports, hobbies, and going out with friends is a major depression. Further, losing interest in sex is also common with depression.
Also, individuals who are depressed will lose hope, and feel worthless. Even a few individuals who live with depression will experience inappropriate guilt like, “It’s all my fault,” or “What’s the point?”
2) Changes in sleep patterns:
Seriously, depression can ruin an individual’s sleep cycle. They will find it tough to fall asleep, will frequently wake up during the night, or find themselves sleeping more than usual. Some people in contrast will go through insomnia and can’t seem to get rest at all. If you see drastic changes in someone’s sleep patterns, like staying up all night or sleeping throughout the day, it could be a sign of depression.
3) Appetite and weight changes:
Depression has the potential to affect your relationship with food. Few people may completely lose their appetite and start losing weight without making any effort. On the other hand, some people may find food as their comfort and will eat too much and end up gaining weight. Simply, if you observe sudden changes in someone’s eating habits, it could indicate that they are depressed.
4) Difficulty concentrating or making decisions:
When depressed, you will feel overwhelmed to performing simple tasks. Also, a person usually on top of things suddenly seems forgetful, or unable to concentrate. They find it difficult to concentrate at work, school, or even during casual conversations. This mental fog is a common sign of depression and can make it harder for them to function in daily life.
5) Suicidal thoughts:
This is one of the alarming signs of depression. Typically, they will not say that directly but will drop some hints such as “I don’t see the point of living,” or like “Everyone would be better off without me.” The leading cause for suicidal thoughts is depression, and timely treatment will save lives, so whenever you find someone is in suicidal thoughts, help them to get a depression treatment in Coimbatore.
6) Binge usage of alcohol or drugs:
Typically people with mood disorder will be addicted to alcohol or certain drugs to cope with negative emotions, such as feeling of sadness, loneliness, or hopelessness. Alcohol has the potential to affect the brain’s chemistry, which will increase the risk of depression. Further, it will disturb the balance of neurotransmitters that regulate mood, like serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid. This results in mood swings, anxiety, and worsened depression.
7) Faking emotions:
Most people with depression never want to admit it, either to themselves or to others. With others, they will behave like they are extremely happy or give vague answers when anyone enquires about how their life is going. Usually, they will engage in shallow conversation because they never want to be judged by anyone regarding their depression. If you notice someone has suddenly become distinct and only maintains a crisp talk, this might indicate depression.
Final Thoughts:
In conclusion, we can say that depression is one of a complex and misunderstood condition. It can occur in different ways and the symptoms may vary from person to person. By being aware of these seven signs of depression, you can better understand what someone is going through and take possible actions to help them. If you or any of your friends are battling with depression, never hesitate to seek help.
