Life has a crazy way of filling us with joy one moment, and flooding us with sorrow the next. Day-to-day life means that it’s normal to have days where you’re feeling down, but if emptiness and despair have taken control over your thoughts and actions, it may be time to seek help for depression.
Depression is not a condition you can simply turn off and on when you need to. It makes it seem impossible to function normally and find joy in life the way that you wish you could. For many who suffer from depression, simply getting through the day can feel overwhelming.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms?
Depression looks different in every person it affects. While symptoms of depression may vary from person to person, there are a few signs of depression to look out for. Some of these symptoms are not alarming, but it’s important to know that the stronger and more prevalent they are, the more likely it is that you or that person is facing depression.
Here are some warning signs of depression:
- Thoughts and feelings of hopelessness and helplessness that lead the depressed person to believe that nothing is good enough and nothing will ever get better.
- Self-loathing that leads to harsh self-criticizing, and overwhelming feelings of worthlessness or guilt.
- Anger and irritability that displays a low tolerance for the people around, causing everything and everyone to push your buttons.
- Extreme loss of energy or fatigue that makes even the smallest tasks exhausting.
- Lose interest in everyday activities, or things you used to enjoy doing. Former hobbies, social activities, and even sex often lose all joy and pleasure.
Depression and Suicide
Depression is a major risk factor for suicide. If you or someone you know is showing signs of these symptoms, it’s important that they are addressed immediately before deeper issues present themselves. Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and loneliness are all strong emotions that push people to consider suicide in cases where depression worsens or goes unmanaged.
It’s important to remember that regardless of the hopelessness and sorrow that you feel, you can definitely get better. Treatment does not happen overnight, but knowing the signs and symptoms of depression can help in leading you to treatment options that can help you overcome the feelings, thoughts and emotions you’re wrestling with.
