Recognizing Symptoms of Depression
By: Romina
Media depictions of mental illness have stigmatized what actual mental illness looks like. People may envision a media portrayal of a depressed person lying in bed in a dark room that is overcome with sadness and unmotivation. This has resulted in people having misinformation on what depression actually looks like. There is more than meets the eye of someone who is depressed. Symptoms of depression aren’t just visible or immediately obvious. Believe it or not, someone who is depressed can also be high functioning and you might not have a clue that they are struggling internally. Most people function normally but struggle within themselves which lowers their quality of life.
Knowing the seldom discussed symptoms of depression is a valuable skill; being able to recognize the less obvious signs may help you or a loved one identify and seek treatment for depression, if needed. Additionally, knowing and fully understanding these symptoms allows us to be more compassionate and helpful to those who are living with mental health conditions.
Here are a few lesser-known symptoms to look out for:
Brain Fog
Brain fog often presents itself as the inability to focus clearly on tasks, forgetfulness and a “mental block” feeling. Slower reaction time is also common as studies show that depression can reduce cognitive functions. This includes: working memory, long term memory, decision making abilities, and focus.
If you have observed these symptoms in others or yourself, it is important to remember to treat those people with empathy and respect as they might be dealing with a bigger issue.
Irritability
Depression manifests in different forms and irritability along with several different emotions are definitely one of the most common manifestations. Anger attacks, sudden frustration and outbursts often accompany depression.
Although experiencing these emotions can be distressing, consulting with a healthcare professional can prevent further attacks and allow you to deal with the shame and frustration in a healthy way.
If you are in a situation in which a loved one is behaving in this manner, remember to recognize that these may be symptoms of a bigger picture in their mental wellbeing and make sure to listen and provide alternative options for their emotions.
Extreme Fatigue
What seems to go hand in hand with depression is fatigue as chemical imbalances in the brain seem to strip away the energy from an individual. Individuals with depression often have low levels of norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine. Without appropriate levels of these chemicals, we can experience fatigue, sleep issues, low motivation, decreased interest in once-enjoyed activities and a general lack of joy.
From the outside, these symptoms may be judged as a personal failing. Perhaps someone appears lazy, disorganized or unclean — but in reality, they are doing their very best to cope when they are struggling to simply get out of bed. In these moments, chores may go undone, hygiene may falter and basic tasks may get overlooked.
Rather than passing judgment or demanding change, we need to remember that, often, compassion and medical intervention are the appropriate response.
Edited by: Arron