It’s natural to feel down or anxious from time to time. What’s not natural, however is prolonged feelings of hopelessness and despair. When these emotions grab hold, and won’t let go it is likely you may be struggling with depression.
Depression makes every day a dreaded, constant challenge. It feels as though you’re no longer enjoying life. Just getting out of bed in the morning can feel overwhelming. The simplest task feels daunting. It feels as though the weight of the world is on your shoulders and you’re walking around with concrete boots. Everything just feels heavy.
But with the right support, knowledge, and even therapy, you can overcome depression and go From Surviving To Thriving.
Unsure of whether you’re suffering from depression? Read on to learn for common symptoms of depression.
Signs of Depression
Can you even tell if you’re depressed? It may seem like an odd question, but a surprising number of people do not recognize that they may be suffering from depression. While some signs are obvious, others can be subtle.
Every person manifests symptoms in a different way, so it’s important to recognize any changes in your behavior. With this in mind, here are four signs you might be struggling with depression.
Changes in Weight
Unintended changes in weight can be a sign of depression.
Depression can affect individuals in different ways. Some may find they have no appetite at all and before long, lose a significant amount of weight. Sometimes people will find nothing sounds appealing at all and as a result, simply don’t eat. On the other hand, others may find their desire for food increases and they easily gain weight. Often associated with this are increased cravings for “comfort” food which are typically loaded with sugar and carbohydrates – known mood wreckers.
Changes in Sleep Cycles
Getting too much or too little sleep can be a symptom of depression.
As with a person’s appetite, the changes to one’s sleep cycle can also go in one of two directions. You may notice you feel lethargic and want nothing more than to sleep all day. Getting out of bed in the morning feels like an overwhelming task for which you have no desire – despite the requisite 7-8 hours of sleep. Then again, others may find they can’t fall asleep and are restless all night long. Pay special attention to changes in your sleep patterns of behavior and take note.
Anger and Irritability
Feeling angry and irritable all the time? You might be struggling with depression.
It has been said that “depression is anger turned inward.” If you suddenly find yourself with a short fuse, and things that used to seem like minor irritations now cause you to fly off the handle, it may be a sign you need some help. Often, men experience increased feelings of anger and resentment during depressive episodes while women tend to experience increased feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and despair. However, either gender can experience both.
Physical Ailments
Frequent aches and pains could be a sign of depression.
Many people don’t realize that depression can manifest itself physically. It is common for sufferers to feel sick to their stomach while their whole body aches. Some may find they seem to have a cold or flu that won’t go away while others may notice the chronic conditions, such as arthritis, or exacerbated by depression. And still others feel exhausted all the time, which only further perpetuates the struggle to find motivation for simple tasks.
It’s important to recognize the signs so you may seek treatment as soon as possible. While depression may feel like a life sentence for some, reaching out for help will put you in the driver seat and on the path toward a more joyful and peaceful existence.
If you or a loved one are struggling to find treatment for depression, contact us today for a free consultation.
James Killian, LPC is the Principal Therapist & Owner of Arcadian Counseling in New Haven, CT where they specialize in helping over-thinkers, high achievers, and perfectionists take control and move From Surviving to Thriving.