There are times in life when we are tired, discouraged, and feel overwhelmed. Stress at work, strain in relationships, health issues, or significant changes can be heavy. But sometimes the heaviness won’t break. If you’ve been thinking to yourself, “Am I depressed, or just going through a rough time?” you’re not alone.
Depression is more than just sad feelings. It has an impact on how you think, sleep, eat, connect with others, and move through your day. It may be quiet or may seem loud and consuming.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), an estimated 1 in 5 adults in the US experience a mental health condition every year, with major depressive disorder being one of the most common. Depression is more common than many people realize, despite how incredibly isolating it can be.
Depression is much more than feeling sad. It impacts the way you think, sleep, eat, interact with others, and go about your day.
Common Signs of Depression
While everyone’s experience is different, here are some patterns to look out for:
- Feeling sad, empty, or hopeless on most days
- Losing interest in things you used to do
- Changes in sleeping (sleeping too much or too little)
- Changes in appetite or body weight
- Fatigue that is not relieved by rest
- Trouble concentrating or making decisions
- Feeling worthless or too guilty
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Thoughts about not wanting to be here
If several of these symptoms have persisted for 2 weeks or more and are interfering with daily life, then it may be depression.
Depression Doesn’t Always Look Like Sadness
Some people feel mostly numb. Others are irritable or restless. Some carry on life at work and disintegrate at home. You may hear people talk about “high-functioning depression,” in which everything appears to look okay from the outside but feels tiring from the inside.
Depression can also manifest itself physically, such as headaches, body aches, digestive issues, or a constant feeling of heaviness.
Why It Happens
Depression is complex. It can be affected by genetics, brain chemistry, trauma, chronic stress, grief, medical conditions, or life transitions. It is not a character flaw. It is not laziness. It is not a weakness.
Sometimes depression comes on as a result of a definite event. Other times, it appears to come without warning.
When to Get Help
If your symptoms persist for more than a couple of weeks, are getting worse, or affect work, school, relationships, or self-care, then it is time to reach out. You don’t have to wait until things are unbearable.
Whereas, if you are considering harming yourself or do not want to be alive, get help immediately. For those in the United States, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
For education, support groups, and good information on depression, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at nami.org is a good resource.
What Can Help
Therapy can be very effective when it comes to depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance-based approaches, and other evidence-based treatments help individuals make sense of thoughts, develop new coping skills, and regain a connection to meaning.
Medication can also be beneficial to some people. A primary care provider or psychiatrist can discuss options.
In addition to professional support, the small changes every day make a difference. Gentle movement, regular sleep, meaningful connection, and limited isolation may all aid recovery.
If you’re stuck in looping patterns of thought that cause you to be in pain and misery, I often suggest The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris. Instead of fighting the difficult thoughts, it provides practical tools for relating differently to such thoughts. Many people find it empowering and easy to follow.
Depression can make it difficult to believe things are going to get better. But with the right support, they can. If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, or maybe you are just feeling tied up in your thoughts, you don’t have to untangle these thoughts alone. I’m here to help.
My link: https://amzn.to/46THt0N