Are You Missing The Signs Of Depression In Your Friends and Family?

Identifying someone who is depressed isn’t as simple as it seems. An individual with depression may not reach out for help quickly. Their symptoms may be difficult to spot during an outing, meeting or event among friends or colleagues. According to the World Health Organization, more than 264 million people in the world suffer from depression. With so many people affected by depression, it’s easy to miss the signs that can allow a family member or friend to step in and help. When one understands how elements of depression take hold of someone they care for, it will be easier to help them on their path to a full recovery. Learning about potential signs of depression is a good place to start. From there, you can go further. 

1 – Low Mood

Someone with depression generally stays in a consistent, low mood as they go about their day. Everyone has times when they’re feeling sad or upset. When a person is going through a close friend or family member's death, their grief may be all-consuming during a particular period in their life. However, the deep sadness that comes with depression can be overwhelming for a long time. The depressed individual may have few joyful moments in their life. They may have bouts of irritation or anger that come on suddenly as well. If a family member or friend notices this is a reoccurring state for the individual, they may want to ask them more about how they’re feeling.

2 – Difficulty Sleeping

An individual with depression may experience sleep issues as well. They may struggle as their sleep patterns change, rising too early in the morning or fighting insomnia late at night. This restlessness gets in the way of quality sleep that they need to stay healthy and alert. They may experience restlessness, nervousness or feelings of dread. It can hurt their ability to relax and unwind. In some cases, depression can cause one to sleep too much. Someone who is depressed may not feel the urge to get out of bed. This depressive symptom may be hard to spot at first, but if one is worried about another being depressed, they may want to inquire about how well they’re sleeping if the person seems exhausted.

3 – Changes in Appetite

A person dealing with depression may feel a change in their appetite. For depressed individuals, this may be a loss of appetite. For others, it may be an increase in appetite. Depression may cause a person to not feel inspired to eat. They may feel they have to force themselves to eat a meal. The idea of eating food might not be appealing. A depressed person may not find their favorite foods enjoyable anymore. Some people with depression may feel the need to overeat. When feelings of deep sadness are overwhelming, they may eat large amounts of food all at once as a coping mechanism. These changes in appetite may lead to weight gain or weight loss. Although it can be a sensitive topic, someone with depression may exhibit these signs and need help changing their habits.

4 – Feelings of Worthlessness and Self-Loathing

A person with depression may not only exhibit feelings of sadness. They may also express feelings of worthlessness and self-loathing. Someone with depression may comment that their actions don’t matter, and they have no control over any situation in their lives. He or she may also withdraw from conversations. They may insist that their presence doesn’t matter at an event, or that their life has no meaning. Someone with depression may also exhibit hatred toward themselves. If they experience problems at work or school, they may not think their life will get any better.

5 – Loss of Interest in Hobbies and Activities

While depression can make a person feel constantly tired and sad, it may also influence their ability to enjoy activities they once loved. For someone who is depressed, former activities they eagerly participated in feel hard to start now. Events and places that they used to enjoy venturing out to no longer feel pleasurable to them. The effort needed to travel to a location doesn’t seem worthwhile. For someone worried about whether or not their loved one has depression, their absence may signify that something is deeply wrong.