Anyone who has experienced extreme sadness and loss can be vulnerable to depression. Depression can render its victims unable to work and even get out of bed for long periods. Depression often occurs due to one of several stressors, including experiencing a traumatic event or stress in relationships or work. These five signs can help people determine if they are dealing with depression.
Feeling Hopeless
Major depression is an illness involving a persistent state of sadness and loss of interest that limits the activities of daily living. Recurring feelings of worthlessness, self-hate, or inappropriate guilt are the most common symptoms. Thoughts such as “It’s all my fault” or “What’s the point?” may also be present.
No Interest
People with major depression may find pleasure and enjoyment hard to come by. They may take a loss of interest in their favorite hobbies or lose enthusiasm for social activities. They may have trouble sleeping or eating and can even become impotent. Depression in men may present itself differently than in women. Men with depression may display irritability, substance abuse, escapist or risky behavior, or misplaced anger.
Fatigue and Lack of Sleep
Studies have shown that both depression and insomnia are linked to anxiety. While low energy and fatigue are symptoms of depression, one may notice a decrease in their desire to do what they once enjoyed. Depression can also cause excessive sleeping and oversleeping, which exacerbates feelings of fatigue. Sleep deprivation can also worsen anxiety.
Increased Anxiety
Depression and anxiety are often comorbid disorders. While the link between these conditions is not entirely clear, there is some evidence suggesting that experiencing one of the conditions may increase the risk of the other. Symptoms of anxiety can include a racing heart, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, dizziness, or restlessness.
Weight and Appetite Fluctuations
The physical manifestations of depression can vary widely from person to person. Some people with the disorder report an increase in appetite and weight gain; others are unable to eat, which can lead to substantial weight loss. It can be hard to know if a nutritional change is related to depression. It may be caused by depression, or it may just point to a person’s attempts to deal with their depressive symptoms.
