Am I Depressed 6 Signs You Should Know About
Posted on Wednesday, 22 December 2021, in
Everyone feels low from time to time, so its not always easy to know when it is part-and-parcel of daily life, and when its time to seek help. In most cases, it is short-term and self-correcting, but for a significant minority this is not the case. For those individuals, it is important to seek treatment just as you would any other health condition. Here we discuss six warning signs which, together, might indicate that its time to seek professional help.
Information For Family Carers And Friends
You can get support if you are a carer, friend or family member of someone living with depression.
Being a carer might mean you can claim certain benefits that might help you and the person you care for. For more information, please see the Mental Health and Money Advice services website:www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en/welfare-benefits/what-benefits-are-available-for-mental-health-carers/
You could also get in touch with carer support groups or sibling support groups. You can search for local groups in your area online or ask your GP.
You can ask your local authority for a carers assessment if you need more practical support to help care for someone.
As a carer you should be involved in decisions about care planning. There are rules about information sharing and confidentiality which may make it difficult for you to get all the information you need in some circumstances.
You can find out more information about:
How can I support the person that I care for?
You might find it easier to support someone with depression if you understand their symptoms, treatment and self-management skills. You can use this to support them to get help and stay well.
Below are some initial suggestions for providing practical day to day support to someone with depression.
You can find out more information about:
You can find more information about:
Website: www.web.ntw.nhs.uk/selfhelp/
Understand Exactly What They Are Struggling With
What does anxiety or depression typically look like for them? Anxiety and depression manifests differently in everyone who has it, so it is crucial to gear your support towards the specific person and their specific illness. What are their symptoms? What happens on a bad day for them? What happens on a good day? No matter how much research you do on anxiety/depression and how it presents, no one knows their illness better than them. Dont be afraid to ask them what their illness is like for them specifically. This will let them know that you are committed to supporting them and will allow them to feel comfortable seeking support from you.
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How Is Depression In Men Treated
If you are experiencing depression, your doctor can help you build a mental health treatment plan. Your plan may include different types of treatments depending on your symptoms and how severe they are.
The main ways to treat depression are through medication, psychological treatments, brain stimulation therapies, and self-help or alternative therapies.
What Are Some Different Types Of Depression
It can be helpful to know the different types of depression to understand what people may be going through. Increasing your understanding of depression can help you increase empathy and sympathy for others who are suffering.
Major depression: People with major depressive disorder suffer from depression symptoms most of the day, every day. Despite what is happening around them, they will still feel symptoms of despondency, fatigue, and anxiety. Symptoms vary in how long they show. Some people experience it for their whole lives, while others only have it for a few weeks or months.
Persistent depression: When depression symptoms last for more than two years, its called persistent or chronic depression. It is not as intense as major depression but it still causes feelings of hopelessness, inadequacy, and leads to social withdrawal.
Manic/Bipolar depression: People are only diagnosed with bipolar depression when a manic episode lasts for more than seven days. A manic phase will include grandiose thinking, risky behavior, and sometimes even hallucinations.
Perinatal/Postpartum depression: This type of depression affects pregnant women and new mothers. It is mostly due to the hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy and childbirth. Symptoms can be as severe as major depression and typically manifest as extreme worry, thoughts of harming oneself or the baby, and difficulty caring for oneself or their child.
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Sex Is Going To Be A Come
When your mate is suffering from the big D, the last thing theyre going to want is the D in between their legs. When you have sex, you want to feel sexy, hot, and confident.
Do you know what rips all of those erotic feelings away from you? Depression.
Be patient with your lover until they get back into the swing of things sexually, and always keep the lines of communication open.
They Are Always Negative
If you come home with happy news, and you are always met with no response or a negative one, it is like someone popped your balloon.
A depressed partner is incapable of feeling elation, not only for themselves but those around them. Maybe you have a good idea, something good happened at work, or you see something funny and want to share. Yet it is met with indifference or no response at all. It is not a fun existence.
It leaves you feeling like a comic on stage who keeps checking the microphone to see if it is on. You stop telling them the good things that happen, or forget that good things do happen at all when you see the look on their face when you walk in the door.
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How To Tell Someone You Have Depression
Talking about your depression can be difficult. Unfortunately, many people have no idea what depression is or dont know much about mental illness in general. Up until recently, mental health wasnt a common topic of choice in public settings. However, thanks to the many celebrities with mental illness who have shared their experiences and other forms of mental health awareness, the time has arrived to open up about your struggles. Depression can be a scary and consuming condition if it isnt addressed. It can be difficult to move forward and get mental health treatment without the support of loved ones. With that being said, sharing your struggles is worth the risk. Below are some tips on how to tell someone youre depressed that may make the conversation easier for you.
Getting Frustrated Doesnt Make You Selfish
Have you ever uttered the phrase: Im sick of waiting for them to be happy? Hey, we feel you. Life isnt easy, especially when you love someone with depression. And at times, youre going to have some less-than-loving thoughts about your significant other.
This doesnt make you a bad person, it makes you human. Dating someone with depression can be extremely frustrating, annoying, and at times you may even feel like a verbal punchbag but this too shall pass. Bottom line: youre going to get frustrated, and thats okay. Its not easy dating someone with depression.
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They Never Seem Able To Rest
The opposite of what you would think, someone with depression often has difficulty sleeping.
Pacing the floor, disappearing in the middle of the night, or being gone when you wake up, might be misconstrued as signs that they are having an affair. But, the truth is that they may just be depressed and have difficulty sleeping. If there arent any other causes for the inability to rest, and they have other signs on this list, it may be depression.
Dont Make Them Feel Embarrassed Or Ashamed For Struggling
No one likes admitting that they have a mental illness. It is difficult in itself to know you have an illness but admitting it to others takes a different type of strength. So, if a loved one comes to you and tells you that they are struggling with anxiety/depression, be mindful of your language. Avoid telling them things like Everyone feels that way, It could be worse, or Weve all been there. Phrases like this minimize the importance of their illness and contribute to harmful personal stigma surrounding mental health. Instead, use phrases such as Thank you for opening up to me, How can I support you? and I am here for you when you need me. These phrases let them know that you heard them and that you will not judge them for asking for help.
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Signs Someone Is Depressed
Depression is a troubling illness, both for the afflicted and those that care about them. Many times, the depressed doesnt know why its happening sometimes they think that its a personal failing or weakness.
Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Depression is a very complex disease that is often linked to biological, environmental, genetic, and psychological factors. In simplest terms, depression is a disorder of the brain. Imaging technologies such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging and positron emission tomography have discovered that the depressed brain is different in various functionalities than the normal brain.
The brain areas that are affected by depression include the Amygdala, Thalamus and the Hippocampus. The amygdala is associated with emotions such as anger, fear, pleasure, sorrow and sexual arousal. Studies have shown that the amygdala registers higher activity when a person is sad or clinically depressed this likely accounts for the episodes of mania that people experience in manic depression.
The hippocampus is another limbic system structure that is responsible for processing long-term memory and recollection. Some studies have shown that the hippocampus is smaller in some depressed people and that continuous exposure to stress hormones can impair the growth of nerve cells in this region of the brain.
What causes this shift in the chemical functioning of the brain?
Theyre Not Showing Up For Things They Used To Enjoy
Has your friend stopped turning up for activities they used to enjoy? Does it feel like you never see them anymore? This could be a sign theyre not feeling like their usual selves. Not wanting to spend time with the people they love and losing interest in the activities they used to enjoy can be a telltale sign of depression.
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How To Help Someone Who May Be Experiencing Depression
If you are currently experiencing one or more of these symptoms, its okay to seek support. If you are having thoughts of suicide, call 303-492-2277 to access 24/7 crisis support from Counseling and Psychiatric Services .
If you notice a roommate, friend or classmate experiencing any of these symptoms, here are a few things you can do to help:
Who To Tell About Depression
If you want to open up about how you feel, then you may be asking yourself, who should I tell about my depression? One major thing to keep in mind is that you dont have to tell anyone about your depression if you arent comfortable with doing so. Dont let anyone coerce or pressure you into talking about this. However, as an inpatient mental health rehab, we do recommend that you speak to someone you trust about your condition. Whether theyre your parent, friend, or family member, you should tell someone you trust about your depression.
As a result of the many stigmas about mental illness, so many people are afraid to share their struggles with their mental health. This often perpetuates isolation and harmful forms of self-medicating, like substance abuse. The first step in treating your depression is accepting it and talking about it with someone else. Sometimes we have to say these things aloud to accept that theyre real and that we need help. When you do decide to talk to someone about your depression, it should be someone you trust or a licensed therapist. You do not have to tell everyone you know, nor should you tell someone who you dont trust. If you believe youre depressed but cant talk to anyone, call us at. Were here for you.
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How To Care For Yourself When Your Loved One Is Depressed
When you live with someone who is clinically depressed, there will be days when youve got it as tough as they do. Taking care of a loved onewhether its a child, partner, relative, or friendcan leave you just as debilitated, in pain, and wracked with frustration as they are. Having a hard time while your loved one is dealing with mental health issues can be like a guilty secret: its there, but no one wants to acknowledge it. Unfortunately, in many cases there arent a lot of resources available to caregivers. That might make you try to hide your discomfort, which only makes it worse.
For the person living with depression, life may be a constant fight. What looks from the outside like giving in often feels on the inside like consistent effortwhen youre depressed, it can take great exertion just to get out of bed, get dressed, and go to the grocery store. For the person who hopes to care for the sufferer, its hard to figure out how best to help. Your great ideas to motivate and distract your loved one might feel too difficult for them, and might even be seen as pushing too hard or having expectations they cant possibly meet.
Youre not alone. Many caregivers experience burnout. These are some of the symptoms:
Youre Not Alone I May Not Understand Exactly How You Feel But Youre Not Alone
Depression is incredibly common. Its estimated that from 2013 to 2016, of U.S. adults experienced depression at least once.
This is from the data we have. Many people dont seek help.
Depression can make many people feel alone and like they should isolate. Tell them theyre not alone. Be there for them, even if you dont have a similar personal experience.
If youve had depression, you can share that you know what theyre going through. This can help them relate. However, keep the focus on them. Remember to listen first.
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Dating Someone With Depression Isnt Easy
Depression is far more common than most of us realize. Anyone can develop depression at some point in their lives, yet some people struggle with it over the long term.
If youre dating someone with depression, you must be patient and understanding. However, at the same time, you have to make sure that you dont lose yourself in the effort to make them happy. The only person who can do that is themselves.
Want To Beat Depression For Yourself Or A Friend
W. Nate Upshaw, MD
Dr. William Nathan Upshaw is the Medical Director of NeuroSpa TMS®. Since receiving training from the inventor of TMS Therapy nearly a decade ago, Dr. Upshaw has been a pioneer, champion and outspoken advocate of TMS Therapy. Dr. Upshaws holistic experience in the field has transformed him into Floridas leading advocate for widespread accessibility to TMS Therapy.
Despite the fact that depression is the most common mental illness, it can in fact be difficult to tell if someone is depressed. How someone experiences depression can vary, and can depend upon factors such as social upbringing, environment, and personality. Some may experience many signs and symptoms of depression, but not be acting or behaving in a way that is consistent with how they are truly feeling. This may not always be the case, though. Here are some signs to look for in yourself or loved ones that tell if they have depression.
Depression also leads you to find little to no pleasure in activities you once enjoyed. If you notice friends or loved ones avoiding or appearing displeased doing things that once was fun and engaging, this could be a sign of depression. Depression can feel so physically and emotionally draining, that even things someone loves can feel unbearable. Another area where someone may lose interest in is sex sex drive and desire can be decreased if someone has a depressive episode.
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Take Care Of Yourself
It can be pretty scary and intense to see someone you care about experiencing depression or anxiety. You can be there for your friend, but its equally important to do things that keep you well. By taking care of yourself, youll be in a better place mentally and physically, and this allows you to better support the people around you.
Remember to do the following to make sure your own wellbeing is looked after:
- Monitor your mood. You might be really worried about your friend, but it’s important that you also monitor your own mood and stress levels. This could include rating your mood out of ten each day, to track how you’re doing.
- Don’t give up the things you enjoy. Always make sure you’ve got the time to do your favourite things.
- Make time to relax. Relaxation is great for helping you to unwind and deal with stress.
- Set boundaries. You arent going to be able to be there for your friend all of the time. Set some limits around what youre willing, and not willing, to do. For example, you might decide not to take any phone calls in the middle of the night, or not to miss social events just because your friend isnt up to going.
- Ask for support. Its important that youre getting your own emotional support. Talk to people you trust about how youre feeling.