Many people think that depression is expressed in a depressed mood, detachment and all-consuming sadness. But its early signs can be so mundane that people simply do not attach importance to them. How not to miss the moment when it’s time to contact a specialist?
When we catch the flu or a cold, the symptoms are obvious: cough, runny nose, general weakness and the whole wide world is not nice. With depression, everything is much more serious, because its manifestations are far from what is shown in the movies.
Deep sadness and hopelessness are only parts of a complex equation, and it’s not just that the symptoms vary in severity. They often disguise themselves as everyday habits and emotions that at first glance have nothing to do with depression.
Eight insidious manifestations of depression
1. Crazy busy
Of course, many people have a busy schedule, but for a depressed person, permanent employment is a way to isolate themselves from worries. Studies have shown that workaholics often suffer from psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety.
“They plunge into work to distract themselves from depressing thoughts or escape from problems that exacerbate depression,” says Sumi Lee Samuel, MD, chief medical officer of the Illinois Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center.
2. Indifference
Depression is not necessarily boundless sadness, sometimes it manifests itself in apathy, the so-called “gray zone”, where it seems to be neither sad nor joyful. That is, no way. “Mood swings in depression become protracted, whether it be anger, sadness or complete indifference, which is very different from an adequate emotional reaction to events,” says Lee Samuel.
3. Restless sleep
Lack of sleep can easily be attributed to working late or a pet that decided to play at 3 am, but constant sleep disturbances are also one of the signs of depression. “Some fall asleep literally on the go and barely get out of bed in the morning, others just can’t fall asleep,” says psychiatrist Carly Snyder. Endless fatigue can turn into anxiety and despair, as well as exacerbate other symptoms.
4. Everything hurts
Depression is often accompanied by painful sensations: headache, aching all over the body, general weakness. In some cases, pain is the first or even the only symptom.
According to Dr. Lee Samuel, pain exacerbates depressive symptoms, which in turn exacerbate it: thus creating a vicious circle where one state is constantly fueled by another.
5. Difficulty making decisions
“From a physiological point of view, in depression, the part of the brain that is responsible for motivation and decision-making loses gray matter,” explains clinical psychologist Elizabeth Lombardo, author of Better than Perfect. This leads to the fact that even insignificant decisions are given with great difficulty.
6. Jumps appetite
Any eating disorder can be a precursor to depression. As Lombardo writes, some do not want to eat at all, others try to drown out emotional suffering, sweeping away everything.
However, if a supporter of a healthy diet suddenly discovers an addiction to fast food and unhealthy foods, this can also indicate depression, adds Snyder.
7. Any trifle infuriates
Since depression is usually equated with sadness, few people think of linking it with increased irritability. “Pay attention to habitual rituals: for example, how you behave in line for coffee,” says Carly Snyder. “If they began to freak out because of what they would have given up before: a slow barista, a buyer who pays in change for a long time, this is an alarm signal.”
8. Wet eyes
It also happens that people sob bitterly because of sheer nonsense: a slight quarrel with a partner, losing keys, accidentally buying the wrong yogurt. “In depression, the little things seem like big things,” warns Snyder. – Instead of doing something, a person simply starts to sob, and the further, the more difficult it is to “close the floodgates”. In other words, if all sorts of little things bring you to tears, there is something to think about.
If you suspect depression, listen to see if you have obsessive thoughts and emotions, as well as changes in behavior that prevent you from living a normal life.
Clinical psychologist Stephanie J. Wong suggests rating these thoughts, emotions, and behaviors on a scale from 1 to 10, with XNUMX being the lowest and XNUMX being the highest. If one or more points approach a critical point and affect important areas of life, be sure to contact a specialist.
Do not let even minor changes in your well-being take their course, so you can prevent serious problems. Be attentive to yourself.