Is your loved one depressed, or is he or she experiencing normal occasional feelings of sadness? Is the depression having a detrimental effect on the overall health of your loved one? Feeling sad or depressed is a normal emotion that is typically fleeting; however, a persistent state of sadness that does not alleviate itself is better classified as depression.
Certainly, we all have times when we feel a little “down.” It is natural to feel a range of emotions, including sadness. However, if you notice many of the following symptoms exhibited in your loved one, you might begin to suspect he or she is depressed.
Depression is a long-lasting feeling of persistent sadness that just cannot be alleviated. The feeling of persistent sadness typically lasts for at least two weeks without any noticeable improvement. Often, the feeling lasts much longer than two weeks. Your loved one might not respond to any attempts at lifting his or her mood, either. You may feel helpless yourself at this point. However, the persistent feeling of sadness is one of the chief symptoms of depression.
You should also note that depression can manifest itself when there are no obvious causes for its presence. Clinical depression is not typically set off by a person’s circumstances. Rather, clinical depression is often the result of physiological causes such as a hormonal imbalance or a glitch in the way one’s brain processes serotonin. In fact, a clinically depressed person can appear to have everything going for him or her even in the depths of depression.
Those experiencing depression often exhibit a lack of energy. They might not seem motivated to do anything. A telling sign of depression occurs when an individual doesn't seem to have the energy to even take a shower or otherwise properly care for him or herself. Often, depression can cause a person to become so lethargic that even the most common self-care activities can seem overwhelming.
A person experiencing depression may begin to overeat, but, at the same time, he or she may forgo eating all together. Some may eat very little.
Speaking of lethargy and an inability to carry out the simplest of tasks due to a lack of energy, you may notice that your loved one experiences a change in his or her normal sleep patterns. Some will begin to sleep much more than usual while others will find themselves unable to sleep. Both of these changes in one’s sleep pattern can exacerbate the pervading lack of energy on the part of the depressed individual.
At times, the change in sleep patterns can result in other physical changes. You may notice your loved one becomes more irritable and he or she may even exhibit outbursts of anger. This is one symptom that most laypeople will be surprised to observe in their loved one. It should also be noted that anger and frustration that one may display as a symptom of depression.
When a person is burdened with the crippling effects of depression, he or she may have difficulty focusing or concentrating on much of anything. They may even seem forgetful. This one symptom of depression can lead to a myriad of issues for depressed individuals both at school and in a professional manner.
Let’s discuss this idea a little further. Trouble with school or poor job performance can be one of the most telling signs of depression. If a student is unable to concentrate and n the classroom, he or she will almost inevitably see a drop in his or her grades. Ironically, this can add to the feelings of frustration and depression that the student is already experiencing. In the workplace, the employee’s inattention to the task at hand an be downright dangerous! Even if one’s employment simply requires a person to sit behind a desk and enter data or complete paperwork, multiple mistakes can cause a depressed person to encounter discipline at the workplace.
Speaking of poor workplace performance, multiple infractions regarding weak production can lead to the depressed individual losing employment all together.
Not only can the symptoms of depression affect one’s schoolwork or professional life, but the listlessness of ongoing depression can also spill over into one’s hobbies or other pleasurable activities. Someone who has enjoyed participating in sports or who may enjoy other pastimes such as painting or other creative outlets may no longer wish to take part in these once-loved activities.
A person experiencing the symptoms of depression may also exhibit an inability to make decisions. This may be particularly upsetting if the individual is usually fairly quick decisive. Your loved one may make excuses and relate that he or she “doesn’t care.”
In some instances, what appears to be indecisiveness may be a result of the aforementioned inability to concentrate in addition to the lack of energy mentioned previously as well. When the lack of energy is influenced by changes in sleep patterns, the individual’s cognitive function is compromised. This is physically manifested in the inability to focus as well as one’s inability to make decisions.
You might have already come to the conclusion that the symptoms of depression will offer many physical symptoms, but you might not realize that many depressed individuals will exhibit signs of physical pain as a result. Depressed individuals may complain of frequent headaches, but they may also experience joint pain. Some may refer to this as psychosomatic symptoms, but they are very real to the depressed individual.
Finally, some will deal with the effects of depression by engaging in substance abuse. This may include binge drinking or the use of illicit drugs. Ironically, the depressed person may seem to be “partying” and having a good time all while personally wallowing in the midst of depression. Look for other symptoms such as those previously listed to accompany the person who is utilizing alcohol or drugs in an attempt to mask the emotional pain of depression.
Helping a loved one with depression is never easy, but if you notice multiple symptoms of depression in someone, gently provide support and encourage them to seek treatment.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.