Depression comes with various signs and symptoms, and these include feeling overwhelmed or tired, hungover, or generally feeling low. When people feel tired or are in a bad mood, it shouldn’t come off as unnatural unless this feeling just doesn’t go away. This is when you should watch out because there can be a problem at hand! So, if you’re confused about whether or not you or someone you know is dealing with depression, pay close attention to the following signs.
1. Long-Lasting Low Mood Levels
If you feel tired or low every now and then, it could be due to a lack of energy or insufficient dietary nutrition. For women, particularly, the menstrual cycles also have a significant impact on their mood. However, these mood changes should go away on their own soon but if they don’t go away within a period of two weeks or more, it’s a good idea to seek professional help. Pro tip: keep observing your feelings, thoughts, or behavior; if they change and impact your daily life for more than two weeks, then you should definitely reach out to your general physician.
2. Losing Pleasure
Have you come across the feeling of not caring completely for the things you once loved? This feeling is a sign of depression. When you no longer feel interested in indulging in your hobbies, tasks, or interests, you could be facing a hormonal imbalance. Once you no longer receive the serotonin or the dopamine boosts you have become accustomed to, you can no longer enjoy what was once a source of pleasure to you. In case you are dealing with this problem, you should definitely reach out for help ASAP or open up to someone you trust!
3. Becoming Emotionally Unavailable
Many people call themselves becoming oblivious, indifferent or getting numb because this is exactly how people suffering from depression may feel. Depression is like a zap, which sucks out all the joy and happiness from your life, leaving behind negative sentiments, which are often manifested by you being numb or indifferent. This sign must also be seen as a cry for help but apart from reaching out to a professional, you can also try to motivate yourself by forcing yourself into doing activities that you once used to enjoy in order to reignite that feeling of happiness.
Depression can be dangerous and damaging; if you observe the above-mentioned signs in yourself or someone else, please consider reaching out for help.