Signs of Depression: Depression Symptoms to Watch Out For
In these times when everyone is striving to be happy and live a happy life, many of us might be looking for a friend who can help us in the process. As the saying goes… 'A friend in need is a friend indeed.' So, as a friend, you should be concerned about your friends and watch carefully if they are showing any of the following signs or symptoms of depression. If so, it's time to lend a helping hand instead of just listening.
Depression symptoms don't always look dramatic. Sometimes, it's just forcing yourself out of bed or putting on a smile without the twinkle in your eyes. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that in India, one in 20 Indians suffer from depression. Most don't even realise it and just think they're just tired or 'feeling down lately'.
You might still go to work. Still laugh at a joke. But deep down, it feels like something is missing. Like your enthusiasm has quieted down. That's a loss too.
It's easy to brush it off. Life is busy, right? But if that heaviness persists… if you don't feel like yourself for weeks, it might be more than just a temporary hardship.
There are no scary labels here. No pressure. Just some honest conversation about what depression really feels like – when you're holding up on the outside, but everything on the inside is slowly crumbling.
Let's take it slow.
What is depression?
Depression is more than just sadness. It's like being stuck in a mental state where everything seems heavy and out of reach. You feel tired, but even after a full night's sleep, you can barely get out of bed.
It's a way of life that weighs you down, not just a mood. It doesn't always show up the way we expect; there are no visible tears or long stretches of bed rest. Day after day, it often looks like just going through the motions, feeling numb or disconnected from everything around you.
Yet, it does exist. And it's not a condition that can suddenly change. Depression can be caused by a variety of factors: environmental stress, genetics, trauma, or messed up brain chemistry. It also coexists with other mental or health issues like cancer, heart disease, and more. Diabetes distress is depression when managing diabetes.
Myths about depression
1. "It's just sadness or grief."
Not at all. Sadness is temporary. People get depression. It drains your enthusiasm, drive, and joy-usually without shedding a tear.
2. "You can snap out of this."
If it were that easy, no one would suffer. Depression is a medical condition, not a negative attitude. No chemical imbalance can be corrected by willpower alone.
3. "Those who are happy in life don't get depressed."
Success, money, love-none of it makes you immune. Depression doesn't change because of how "perfect" you look on the outside.
4. "It means you're weak."
Really? Strength lies in showing up despite despair. You're not weak if you have a mental illness. Stigma does exist.
What's Behind Depression
At its core, depression is a brain chemistry problem. We're talking about serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine-the "big three" of mood regulation. When these chemicals are out of balance, your mood, energy, sleep, and focus can all be severely impacted.
Here's what the science says:
Research from the National Library of Medicine shows that people with depression have reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain associated with decision-making and emotional control.
Another research article links chronic stress (hello, real world) to a shrinking hippocampus, a key area for memory and mood regulation.
Harvard Health says gut health is just as important-more than 90 percent of your body's serotonin is made in your gut. That's why junk food and depression are often a happy couple.
So no, depression isn't just a "bad day" or "negative thinking." It's real, physical, and measurable. And proper treatment can rewire those pathways.
Common Depression Symptoms and What to Look For
Signs of depression are subtle. It can sneak up on you when you least expect it, and it doesn't always go as planned. Here are some things to check for:
1. Feeling down, constantly
This isn't just "having a bad day." According to the Cleveland Clinic, it's the kind of sadness that's constant and unresolved, day after day. It feels like the weight of the earth is on your shoulders and you can't shake it off; that's not necessarily a sign that something is wrong.
2. Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
You no longer feel the same way about things that once pleasurable to you. A hobby, a favorite meal, or spending time with friends – all of these start to feel dull and are things you should be doing.
3. Feeling exhausted all the time
You feel tired even when you go to bed. It feels like you are just barely making it through the day and no amount of sleep can recharge you.
4. Having trouble focusing or making decisions
It seems like your brain is in a state of fog. You feel exhausted and unable to focus on trivial activities, whether choosing big or small things. Even choosing dinner may seem like a difficult mountain to climb.
Causes of Depression
The onset of depression does not necessarily mean that there is an imbalance in the chemicals in our body, but it can involve most of the causes. Therefore, for a better understanding, we have listed the causes of depression. Here are the trigger alarms for the causes of depression.
1. External factors
There are some external factors that can cause depression, such as: the loss of a loved one, breaking up with a long-term partner, being fired, overwork, lack of free time to relax, and lack of a support system.
2. Childhood experiences
Studies have shown that childhood trauma can potentially change a person's brain. Moreover, childhood abuse and traumatic events can sometimes trigger depression in adulthood.
3. Learned helplessness
This is the behavior that a person exhibits when he or she has experienced multiple adverse events. It is caused by the acceptance of one's own powerlessness.
4. Genetics
Sometimes genetics play a role in the onset of depression. If your family suffers from depression, you may also be affected.
How to Overcome Depression: Self-Care Tips
How to get out of depression? Let's find out. Here are a few self-care measures that people with depression should try:
Connect with friends and family: Staying in touch with your loved ones and engaging in social activities will also improve your mood and your outlook on people.
Enjoy yourself: Do things that make you feel good. Don't force yourself to do things, but you should push yourself to indulge in activities that make you feel better.
Maintain a healthy diet: Follow the right diet for depression. Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids and maintain your vitamin B levels. Also, keep a check on your intake of sugar, refined carbohydrates, caffeine, and alcohol.
Get regular exercise: Get 30 minutes of physical activity every day, or yoga to relieve depression. Stay focused during the activity. Get plenty of sunlight to meet your daily vitamin D needs, which also helps improve depression.
Think positively: Just saying to be positive, will not change your negative thinking. However, you must challenge your negative thinking and counter it with positive thinking. Focus on positive thinking, not negative thinking.
Seek professional help: Always seek professional help to deal with depression. You can overcome depression with the help of medication and therapy, and in addition to self-care. Do not hesitate to seek help, it does not mean that you are weak. Moreover, this will help you to fight your trauma.
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Nowadays, with the accelerated pace of life,the pressure of life continues to increase. The number of people with depression is increasing.So the demand of anti-depression drugs increases a lot. Tianeptine is one of them.