Symptoms of Depression

 7 Symptoms of Depression

 

All of us have felt upset at some point, but typically, our melancholy does pass and we feel better. But what occurs if the melancholy persists?

 

Depression can develop into a disorder that affects every aspect of one's life. Although there are other types of depression, major depressive disorder is the most prevalent disorder.

 

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM-V, states that in order to be diagnosed with major depressive disorder, a person must meet five of the potential criteria listed therein and at least one of their symptoms must be depressed episodes. What further depression warning signals exist, though? How can you tell if a friend of yours, or perhaps you, has this condition? Discover the top 7 depression warning symptoms by reading on. 

 

One: Ignoring hobbies and friends.

Anhedonia, a depressive symptom, is another source of discontent. This refers to the lack of enjoyment from activities that would typically be enjoyable. People who suffer from depression tend to disregard hobbies since they no longer provide them any enjoyment. It is one of the most prevalent signs of depression, claims Faith Byrnie, a writer for "Psychology Today." It would be a good idea to check in with your friend if they appear to no longer be interested in their hobbies, such as playing guitar, dancing, or Pokémon Go.

 

Two: changes in sleep patterns.

Our sleep patterns are crucial to maintaining our mental health, and frequently, changes in our sleep patterns are one of the first signals that we are experiencing mental health issues. This is particularly problematic because depression can worsen when a sleep pattern is erratic. Hypersomnia, or sleeping too much, as well as sleeplessness, are both symptoms of depression. A loss in general energy is another common side effect of these alterations in sleep patterns. This symptom is quite typical. 75% of depressive individuals experienced sleeplessness, and 40% reported hypersomnia, according to Nutt Wilson and Patterson. Therefore, if your sleep pattern changes, it may indicate that you are sad.

 

3. Changes in appetite.

Our appetites are another area that sadness can affect. Some depressed persons report having a significantly decreased appetite and feeling unable to eat. On the other hand, some people who are depressed have heightened appetites and might eat for consolation. Simmons discovered that a depressed person's appetite may either decrease or rise depending on which brain regions were active. Therefore, if you observe that your friend's appetite has altered significantly, that could be a symptom that they are depressed.

 

 

Four; poor self-esteem.

Depression frequently has a substantial negative impact on self-esteem. When you're depressed, you might only perceive your flaws and minimize your accomplishments. This is a severe sign of depression since it can make a person feel unworthy. Low self-esteem throughout adolescence has also been linked in studies to an increased incidence of depression in adults. Depression may be the cause if you feel that there is nothing admirable about you or if you have acquaintances who constantly criticize themselves.

 

Five; decrease in hygiene.

One sign of depression's lack of energy is a person's decline in hygiene. Depression frequently makes it difficult for people to do simple self-care rituals like taking a shower, brushing their teeth, or shaving. This is a result of their weariness and lack of drive to finish duties. Therefore, if your pals appear less tidy and well-groomed, it may be the result of a depressed episode.

 

Six; irritability.

Do you ever feel as though everything and everyone is making you anxious? Do you feel tensed and bottled up? One of the signs of depression is irritability. Even seemingly insignificant things might become quite unpleasant when you are feeling so down about everything. Besharat et al. contend that depression leads to disruption in mood regulation, which increases the likelihood that anger will be shown. Therefore, it might be worthwhile to investigate the cause if you or a buddy observe that you have a shorter fuse than usual.

 

 

Seven; flat emotions.

It's a common misperception that depression involves persistent sadness. But this isn't the case. The "Flat Mood" symptom is an additional indication of depression. Here, a person's disposition is melancholy. People frequently claim to feel numb or as though they have no feelings at all. Although they cannot feel happy, they cannot feel sad either. If you have ever felt this way, you should consider getting help since you might be depressed. You should seek professional assistance if you feel like the signals in this video strongly relate to you. Your symptoms will be discussed with you by the doctor, who may also ask you to fill out a self-report questionnaire to aid in the diagnosis. When your doctor suspects you are depressed, they will talk to you about your treatment choices, including medication and therapy.