Everyone has good days and bad days in their life. While we obviously would prefer to have only good days, the realities of life dictate that we will have ups and downs. For example, a death of a close friend may bring a period of grief and sadness, while a wedding may bring a period of hope and joy. These ups and downs are simply a normal part of life. Most of the time, we are able to overcome our bad days and successfully cope with the challenges of life. There are times, however, when bad days may become the norm and a feeling of hopelessness begins to emerge. This could be a sign that depression may be developing.
Many people experience depression without even realizing that they are depressed. As a result, it is helpful to learn to recognize the signs of depression. Some of the common signs of depression include:
Loss of Interest in Activities
People who experience depression frequently withdraw from life. They quit participating in activities that they typically enjoy or find meaningful.
Depressed Mood
When someone is depressed, their mood is down most days. This is more than just having a “bad day” or being in an occasional “bad mood”. When someone is depressed, their mood is relentlessly down which makes functioning increasingly difficult.
Weight Gain or Weight Loss
People who experience depression frequently experience either a significant weight gain or a weight loss. The weight loss occurs because they may feel too down to eat or have simply lost their appetite. Weight gain tends to occur because they “stuff their feelings” with food or use food as a way of self-medicating.
Sleep Disturbance
When someone is depressed, they may have a lot of problems with sleep. Some people have difficulty going to sleep or can’t stay asleep once they do fall asleep. Others may have periods where they sleep for long periods of time, but still never wake feeling refreshed.
Fatigue
People with depression feel tired all of the time. They frequently report not having any energy even after getting adequate rest.
Tearfulness
People that struggle with depression may feel like crying all of the time. Some describe this as feeling “weepy”. They may also have times where they cry for no apparent reason or not be able to stop crying once they begin.
Agitation
Many people that struggle with depression feel agitated inside. They may become angry easily and argue frequently with those around them. Teenagers in particular tend to lash out in anger when they are depressed.
Increased Physical Pain
People with depression often experience new or increased physical pain. They may report that their whole body aches.
Difficulty Concentrating
When someone is depressed they have trouble concentrating and making decisions.
Feeling Physically Burdened or Slowed Down
When someone is depressed, they often feel weighed down. Every motion feels like it takes effort. Even, lifting their head off the pillow in the morning may feel exhausting.
Feelings of Worthlessness
People who experience depression frequently feel worthless and struggle with low self-esteem.
Feelings of Hopelessness
People who struggle with depression often feel like there is no hope for them. They frequently feel like no matter what they do, nothing will get better.
Feelings of Helplessness
When someone is depressed, they often feel like no one can help them. As a result, they frequently begin to make statements such as “Why try? Nothing is going to help.”
Suicidal Thoughts
Thoughts of wanting to die or “not wake up” are normal symptoms of depression. The more severe the depression the more intense the suicidal thoughts tend to be. When the depression lifts, the thoughts of dying go away.
New Dimensions Can Help!
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the above symptoms or problems, New Dimensions can help. Our team of experienced therapists and psychiatrists can help you overcome these challenges and help you develop the skills you need to thrive. To schedule a complementary assessment or to find out more about our programs, contact us at 1-800-685-9796.
Our affiliate, MHThrive, provides Individual Therapy, Couples and Marriage Counseling, and Family Therapy at our locations in Katy, The Woodlands, and the Clear Lake area of Houston, Texas. We also provide telehealth therapy for anyone who resides within the State of Texas. To schedule an appointment with one of the MHThrive therapists, contact us at 713-477-0333 or visit www.mhthrive.com to learn more.