World Health Day 2023: 7 SIGNS You Are Depressed And Why it Matters, Psychiatrist Speaks!

The word ‘depression’ itself has caused a serious effect among the youth and the coming generation. But people sometimes call it sadness, not realizing the latter. So, on the occasion of World Health Day, we’ll be discussing some signs of this ongoing mental health illness that needs to be heard more.

“Mental Health Matters” We hear this quote often, but do we really implement it in real life? Do we really care about our mental health as much as our physical health? Sometimes, we neglect our negative thoughts on a daily basis, thinking that it can actually get better. The traumatic past, abusive relationships, social isolation, bullying, betrayal, people often say that these problems happen with many of us or in short, that’s life! But you know? Some people can easily forget about it, but for some it can turn into real life depression.

Depression is a complex disease. No one knows exactly what causes it, but it can happen for a variety of reasons. Some people have depression during a serious medical illness. Others may have depression with life changes, such as a move or the death of a loved one. Others have a family history of depression. Those who do may have depression and feel overwhelmed with sadness and loneliness for no known reason. To discuss the serious signs of this mental illness, Dr Sonal Anand, psychiatrist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road I talk to india.com and reveals how a depressed person really feels/behaves. Today we will reveal with you some of these signs so that we and outsiders become aware.

7 main symptoms of depression:

1. To feel down: Feeling sad at times or in reaction to a stressful environment may be different from depression, but it is nonetheless a feeling that cannot be ignored. Depression can make one’s mood constantly low and make one feel sad most of the time to the point that it can affect the overall outcome. Sometimes low mood can be for no significant reason and one may wonder why I feel this way.
2. Feeling of lack of energy or fatigue: Depression can cause a reduction in positive energy and make one feel lethargic and impair the ability to take an interest in daily tasks. Severe depression can cause decreased interest to the point that even basic things like getting out of bed can become a problem. Fatigue can have a number of different causes and it is important to rule them all out.
3. Inability to enjoy things one previously enjoyed: Many people go through burnout and subsequent depression. One of the symptoms can be this lack of enjoyment in things like hobbies, social interactions, shopping, watching TV, or even listening to music. Avoidance of these activities becomes common and one may become socially withdrawn.
4. Sleeping problems: Depression can cause insomnia or sometimes even hypersomnia (excessive sleep), although the former is more common. Some people experience a change in their sleep cycles and are unable to fall asleep quickly, so they wake up late the next morning and the cycle continues. Being sleep deprived comes with its own set of problems, as it can affect concentration and judgment.
5. Weight problems: Depression can cause weight gain or sometimes weight loss as well. Mindless, stressful eating is common in depression, leading to a less thoughtful intake of nutritional calories. Depression can cause a slowdown that leads to lower calorie intake. In some cases, unexplained weight loss may be observed. There are many different causes of weight changes and these too must be ruled out.
6. Difficulty focusing and concentration problems: Depression can cause low concentration due to negative thoughts or an inability to control thoughts. Persistent negative thoughts can reduce productivity and create problems in the workplace. One may find it difficult to complete tasks, meet deadlines, or take on new ones compared to previous times when work was done faster due to better focus.
7. Having thoughts of self-harm: Sometimes life can seem meaningless and thoughts of hopelessness can become dominant. A single mindless thought of existence may not be depression, but having thoughts of ending life or having frequent thoughts of ending things is something to be taken seriously. Worthlessness, helplessness, and hopelessness are some thoughts that can lead to self-harm behaviors.

Why is it important to discuss about it?

Living in the 21st century, where all social problems are now being discussed, why hide this other, more important consciousness? Depression is a serious illness that really needs to get out. People should talk about it more instead of hiding it from their family, friends, relatives or other close people. The progress we have now from having a psychologist/psychiatrist available, counseling sessions, therapy, medicines can really make a person suffering from depression feel better. Yes, the treatment will not be easy, it will take a long time to heal, but you will surely see a great change in yourself. Changes like, confidence to face the world again, ability to love yourself more, eliminate negative thoughts, not hide from your past, accept who you are and face your trauma. It is not easy to say that I am, had or have been in depression, but who cares! The battle is yours and you need to protect your mental health at all costs.

In case no one has told you, you are important, you are awesome, and you are loved!