Warning signs of depression

Warning signs of depression

Depression; is a taboo subject which takes absolutely everything from the person suffering. Debilitating and unbearable. A dark black cloud hoovering over your life that no matter what you do or how hard you try, just never goes away. It takes everything, your strength positivity, hope and a general desire to be alive. Depression is not ever being able to see an end to the pain and far more to it than just sadness. In fact, it can be a combination of emotions ranging from feeling numb, angry, distressed, anxious, hopeless, confused and more. 

Sadly although awareness seems to improve around mental health, high-functioning depression seems to grow at a faster rate. It's becoming more common to have people around us who are struggling without us even knowing it. Due to depression being an invisible condition it's far harder to spot therefore the importance of awareness is undeniable.

There are many different subtypes of this condition; as explained prior, there are high-functioning depression, depression and also clinical depression. The main difference between the term depression and clinical depression is that one is impossible to carry on daily life with and the other is slightly easier to manage. With the likelihood of clinical depression needed medication and therapy to improve.

Clinical depression will often leave a person physically unable to even leave the house, being bedbound with the level of their pain. The warning signs will be more obvious and easier to pick up on, whereas someone who is high functioning or depressed, is far less visible.

A lot of people who suffer from a mental health condition tend to keep things bottled up, as a lot see it as an embarrassment. These are the most common prototypes for high-functioning depression because it will seem as though they're able to manage the condition without any effect on their daily life. For this exact reason, we must gain a greater understanding of warning signs so we can pick up on them earlier because it can quite literally be life-saving.

When it comes to looking for symptoms of depression they range from obvious red flags to more indistinct changes. The key here is the change, from dramatic changes carried by those clinically depressed and more subtle changes from high functioning. The severity doesn't necessarily matter the fact something has changed can be what's important.

Loss of interest in things they once found loved

Depression very quickly takes the pleasure and enjoyment out of the things you love, meaning that a loss of interest or withdrawal from usual activities or hobbies is a clear sign of severe depression.

Change in sleeping habits

A quite clear tell-tell sign of depression is their sleeping habits. A person will tend to spend a lot of time in bed whether sleeping or not. Some will sleep all day and all night, and others won't be able to sleep at all.

Changes in diet and weight

Weight can fluctuate for people with depression in different ways however what is often very noticeable is a change in a person's diet. As with sleeping habits, someone suffering from depression will tend to either overindulge or undereat and have no interest in food.

Uncontrollable emotions

A person suffering may be full of anger going from screaming and shouting to uncontrollable crying. Nothing outside prompts the change but their emotions can be up and down at a moment’s notice. The severity of these emotions will also be a great deal more extreme than the average person.

Anxiety

Probably one of the most difficult of all the signs to notice will be anxiety. The reason being is that it doesn't often present many physical symptoms however you will be able to tell if a person is worrying more, gets uptight about going out and visible looks nervous.

Constant self-doubt

A person suffering from depression will often be very doubtful of themselves and their potential. The person will question everything, their life choices, career and relationships and feel they're worthless.

Increased irritability and anger

This can be quite an obvious change to notice because the irritability and anger can often be aimed at the person's loved ones. If they once had a very happy-go-lucky personality this change will be clear to see.

Diminished energy levels

Depression is very much like an energy sap. Normal daily tasks feel like climbing a mountain. A combination of mental, physical and emotional exhaustion together causes everyday tasks to feel impossible.

Suicidal thoughts

Finally and most importantly the vital warning sign to be careful of is if a person is talking about suicide or frequently bringing up the conversation of death. The minute a person mentions suicide is the exact moment you must get them immediate help because at this stage you can't take any risks.

If any of these signs raise alarm bells with you about a loved one you must be careful in the way you approach them. If they're suffering from depression they will already be feeling sensitive and often self-loathing so the way you bring up the conversation can determine whether you'll be able to get them help or not. If this person feels attacked, their barriers will go up and they're more likely to refuse help. The best approach you can have is to gently mention the subject and make subtle comments which can be thought triggering, this way the person will be more likely to trust you. The worst possible thing you can do is go straight in with an accusation you believe they're suffering from depression.

To help someone get better they must be open and honest with you, you need to encourage them to feel as though they can confide in you. When I was suffering myself the thing that essentially saved me, was having a partner and a mother who I can speak and even though what I would say may hurt them, they'd still listen. Ensure you can have that mutual understanding with anyone who has a mental health condition, no matter what condition it may be. 

I must stress that if you believe a person is in danger and in need of urgent help you must step in and get them immediate medical attention. Whether it be a hospital, a doctor or booking a psychiatrist. There are some cases where we cannot take risks. A brilliant contact for not only someone with depression but also that person's family is the samaritans. An amazing charity which is always at the end of a phone call, text or email.

116123

jo@samaritans.org