Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness or loss of interest. It can cause a slew of mental and physical issues, interfering with your daily activities. According to the World Health Organization, “approximately 280 million people worldwide suffer from depression.” Furthermore, the WHO estimates that “over 7,00,000 people die by suicide each year.” But how do you know if you or someone close to you is depressed?
If you have a lot of anger issues, it could be a sign of depression. However, not everyone who struggles with anger is depressed. So, keep reading to learn how to recognise some of the most common symptoms of depression.
Constant feeling of sadness:
It’s natural to feel sad at times because, after all, we’re human. However, if you feel down all day for an extended period of time, this could be an indication that you are depressed. When someone is depressed, they don’t even want to engage in their favourite activities. If the sadness lasts for more than six to eight weeks, it’s time to talk to someone you trust about your concerns or see a therapist.
Significant changes in your sleeping and eating patterns:
People who are depressed may notice a change in their eating or sleeping habits. Changes in appetite are one of the most common symptoms of this mood disorder, which many people experience when going through difficult times. Oversleeping or undersleeping may also be signs of depression.
Increased irritability or anger:
Anger is an emotion that everyone experiences, but when you can’t control it, it can be a sign of depression. People who are depressed find it difficult to control their emotions, let alone their anger, especially in stressful situations. When confronted with such situations, they may become anxious and begin panicking or sweating excessively.
Hopeless feeling:
Another common symptom of depression is hopelessness. If you are depressed, you will almost certainly have a negative attitude toward almost every situation. You may frequently feel as if everything around you is collapsing and nothing is going right. Depression can make it extremely difficult to maintain a positive attitude in life.
Decreased self-care:
If you know someone who has suffered from depression, you are probably aware of how it affects the person’s life. People suffering from depression may frequently forget to take care of themselves. They even avoid doing things like brushing their teeth, showering, and eating, to name a few.
