5 Warning Signs of Depression
Everyone has ups and downs. However, not all of those downs are created equal. Some level of sadness is inevitable. A casual scroll through your social media news feed will reveal a wide range of folks feeling blue. But there’s another kind of sorrow from which we aren’t able to lift ourselves. It leaves us in a state of daily, oppressive sadness and causes us to lose interest in activities we once enjoyed.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) can make us believe that we’re worthless and hopeless — that life isn’t worth living. Translation: It can be vital that we learn to recognize the warning signs of depression.
Who Gets Major Depressive Disorder?
It can happen to anyone. Nearly 7 percent of U.S. adults have experienced at least one depressive episode. That is more than 16 million people. Studies show women to be more at risk; e.g., 1 in 8 women between the ages 40 to 59 have been diagnosed. Still, we must remember that plenty of folks — more typically men — will not report the symptoms they’re experiencing. Thus, the overall depression numbers are almost certainly much higher than reported.
Why Do So Many People Ignore Warning Signs of Depression?
For men, there is the specter of masculine conditioning. They’re taught to see mental health complaints as a type of weakness. “Real men,” after all, would just cheer up and get back in the game. Even so, both of the sexes struggle with unhealthy societal stigmas. If you’re wearing a splint on an injured arm, it’s usually taken at face value. A disorder like depression, on the other hand, can elicit responses ranging from half-hearted pep talks to blatant invalidation.
All of this adds up to people ignoring red flags. So, let’s make clear what everyone should be looking for.
5 Warning Signs of Depression
1. Physical Symptoms
These signs may understandably not make anyone wonder about depression. But MDD often results in clusters of symptoms like sleep issues, fatigue and exhaustion, and aches and pains that cannot be explained away.
2. Foggy Headedness
People with depression may begin to notice that they’re not thinking clearly. Their focus and concentration decline to a point at which making even the most minor decision feels daunting. This state of mind often leads to irritability and sudden anger.
3. Decreased Appetite
Depressed people lose interest in many things they once liked to do — and this includes eating. Part of this is the sheer effort needed to shop, prepare, cook, eat, and clean up feels like too much. Keep an eye out for weight loss, too.
4. Overt and Covert Behavioral Changes
Lack of energy, motivation, and self-esteem can progress into social withdrawal. If not checked, isolation may lead a depressed person to neglect basic hygiene, chores, grooming, etc. Paradoxically, though, MDD can manifest in very overt and reckless methods of acting out associated with work habits (or lack thereof), substance use, sexual practice, spending, and more.
5. Darker Shifts
In its earlier stages, MDD can leave you dealing with guilt and shame as you question your own worth. When feelings like this are dismissed, they can escalate into thoughts of self-harm, death, and suicide. Such trends must never go unaddressed.
Depression Requires Your Full Attention
It’s become far too normalized for people to accuse others of being “dramatic” or “overreacting.” You may fear sounding “crazy” or “weird,” so you keep some important emotions to yourself. In this window of self-doubt, the roots of MDD can take a deeper hold. But healing from depression is not a solo act. Hence, a giant first step toward breaking a potentially dangerous pattern is to connect with a therapist. In the safety of a therapy room, you can take the healthy steps you need and deserve. Contact our office today to set up your first appointment for depression treatment.