Watch for These 7 Signs of Depression

Watch for These 7 Signs of Depression pexels.com 1. Changes in sleep If you’re sleeping more or you’re sleeping less often, this is a sign of depression. Monitor these changes and, if they persist, tell someone about them. According to Dr. Holly A. Swartz, professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, “sleep makes people function well, so the real problem is that for a depressed person, sleep isn’t restorative, and they aren’t refreshed or rejuvenated.” According to Dr. Joseph Calabrese, professor of psychiatry, individuals might also experience “psychomotor agitation,” which is essentially restlessness. 2. Your mind seems muddled If you’re having a hard time sticking to one thing, if your mind feels jumbled and you constantly have too many thoughts going through your mind and tend to be a little more forgetful than usual, this is another sign to watch out for. According to Dr. John Zajecka, professor of psychiatry at Rush University Medical Center, “One of the things people really need to be mindful of is how well they are functioning cognitively. Sometimes people can’t sit down for 30 minutes and watch TV or read or do anything that requires some focus.” Also be on the lookout for slow thinking, forgetfulness, decision-making problems and other signs of inattentiveness. 3. You’re worrying/thinking too much In case you didn’t know, there is actually a word for over-thinking: “rumination.” Rumination is bad for depression, as it can make it last longer or even increase an individual’s chance of becoming depressed. According to Zajecka, “With rumination, people basically get caught in a loop of replaying negative situations or looking at neutral situations in a negative way or over-analyzing things.” He continued in saying “A little self-reflection is good, but with rumination, someone can become very self-absorbed and they talk about the same things over and over again, which becomes tough on the people around them.” So this is essentially turning individuals’ friends and family against them, which will, in turn, make them more depressed, making it very dangerous. 4. Weight changes If you’re losing or gaining a lot of weight, this is a sign as well. Depression can cause individuals to either eat more or to eat less, which results in drastic weight changes. According to Calabrese, “Most people enjoy a good meal, and those who are depressed lose energy and interest, even in eating.” 5. You’re not engaged or expressive If you or someone you know is changing socially, meaning they were previously engaged and now aren’t any longer, they’re likely depressed. This is one of the big ones, as it’s very common with depressed individuals. And if they aren’t necessarily pulling back completely, pay attention to their attitude when they’re with others if they appear uninterested or have a flat look all the time, this is a sign as well and should be monitored. 6. You hurt a lot Depression, though a mental condition, can influence your body and create pain in the form of back aches, headaches, digestive issues, etc. According to Zajecka, “The pain is very real and some people may only see their doctors for vague physical pains and never get a diagnosis of depression when that’s the real problem.” The science behind this is interesting pain and depression actually share similar brain chemicals which travel nerve pathways so if you’re depressed, this can change your brain’s sensitivity to pain at those nerve endings. 7. It can be treated Just because you or a friend is displaying symptoms of depression does not mean it’s the end of the world; depression is very treatable. The problem is that it first needs to be diagnosed. According to Zajecka, “Depression is very common and there is good help. A person doesn’t need to suffer. They really aren’t alone.” So keep these symptoms in mind and be more aware of your surroundings. It’s time to change the statistics surrounding depression, and that change starts with you.