Depression Signs
Depression affects millions of Americans, but some go undiagnosed and untreated because they fail to recognize the most common depression signs. Depression is not the same as just feeling sad or being in a dark mood. There are many debilitating depression signs that can affect every corner of life for a person with depression.
Common Depression Signs - Apathy
One of the most difficult depressive symptoms to deal with is the loss of interest in or boredom with things that were once loved and enjoyed. This can include the inability to have fun while working on hobbies or participating in favorite activities, and sometimes extends to a loss of pleasure from sex. For no apparent reason, a depressed person loses any desire whatsoever to do what used to be normal, exciting and pleasurable for them.
Common Depression Signs - Appetite or weight changes
Most people with depression find that they either have no appetite or are hungry all the time. As a result, they either eat nothing or eat way too much. Those that are not really aware of any appetite fluctuations may notice weight gain or weight loss instead.
Common Depression Signs - Fatigue
Everyone gets tired, and some people are always tired. Depressed people experience a level of fatigue and energy depletion that disables them from performing even the most routine tasks. This pervasive exhaustion is a major contributor in keeping a depressed person from living a normal life. While we all have those days when we crash and stay in bed for hours, a depressed person could do this for days, or even weeks on end.
Common Depression Signs - Guilt
Because depression has few outward physical symptoms, like a broken arm or leg has, the sufferer may feel guilty because others cannot see their sickness. This guilt also stems from feelings of worthlessness that go along with the brain dysfunction that is caused by depression.
Common Depression Signs - Hopelessness
It is common for everyone to have times when they feel like all hope is gone, but a depressed person feels profoundly pessimistic all the time, and they do not have the ability to see even a glimmer of light at the end of the dark tunnel they live in.
Common Depression Signs - Lack of concentration
The mind is where depression does its dirty work, and this can be experienced as an inability to concentrate or focus on one thing for long. Depression also influences a person's ability to make a decision.
Common Depression Signs - Sadness
Sadness is probably the most prevalent of all depression signs. Although everyone gets sad and blue from time to time, depressed people experience a persistent sadness or an "empty" feeling that lingers all day, every day, for months and sometimes years.
Common Depression Signs - Sleep problems
While some depressed people want to sleep all the time, others can't sleep at all. It is common for a person with depression to go long periods of time without sleep. Even though they feel tired, they are plagued by insomnia and sometimes require the help of sleeping aids.
Common Depression Signs - Suicidal thoughts
Because the symptoms of depression are so pervasive, it is one of the most difficult mental illnesses to deal with. Unfortunately, this can lead to thoughts of suicide, because that is viewed as the only solution. Fortunately, there are many other answers to depression, and healing is possible.