Many people tend to confuse being unhappy and having depression. A major depressive disorder entails more than being unhappy. There are various signs of depression that distinguish it from a mere feeling of sadness.
You need to look out for the warning signs of depression to find out whether you should seek treatment from a mental health professional. Some of these signs include:
Hopeless outlook: Depression affects how one feels about themselves and life in general. The most common sign of major depression is having a helpless or hopeless outlook on your life. You may also feel helpless, inappropriate guilt, or self-hate.
Sleeping problems and increased fatigue: You may end up feeling too tired to do the things you enjoy. Depression deprives you of your initial energy and brings overwhelming fatigue. This often leads to excessive sleeping. Depression may also lead to insomnia or make it worse. Lacking enough restful and quality sleep may lead to anxiety.
Lost interest: Depression deprives you of the enjoyment of doing things you love. It makes you withdrawal from activities you once loved, such as going out with friends and sports. Major depression may also cause impotence and decreased sex drive.
Anxiety: Depression and anxiety often occur together. Anxiety makes it difficult for you to think and focus on any other thing aside from what worries you. It also causes tense feelings, restlessness, and nervousness.
Changes in weight and appetite: Some people may experience loss of weight while others may gain weight. Dietary changes that are not intentional are most likely as a result of depression.
Irritability in men: Depression affects genders differently. Men struggling with depression have symptoms like misplaced anger, substance abuse, risky behavior, and irritability.
Looking at death: Sometimes, depression may lead to suicidal ideations. Often, people to take their lives show the symptoms first. They may attempt it a couple of times and talk about frequently. Ensure you seek help from a suicide prevention hotline if you or your loved one is considering suicide.