8 Quiet Symptoms Of Hidden Depression That Many Experience

Oct 19, 2018 by apost team

Depression is a serious mental disease that can be hard to spot unless you know what to look for. It saps physical, mental, and emotional strength and seeminly takes the joy out of life.

Here is a list of signs of depression you should watch.

People who are depressed look at life and think about it in abstract terms rather than concrete ones. You might hear them asking deep questions or talking about the nature of existence. Depression makes it hard for people to face problems directly and phrase their thoughts directly, so they focus on abstract concepts. You might hear a person say "Such is life," instead of "I was late today."

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If you're depressed and know you're depressed, you don't want to spend time around other people because you feel like people don't really want you around, they're just asking to be polite. This is true even if you might normally enjoy the event in question. Because of depression, you'll find yourself constantly coming up with reasons to avoid socialization.

Depression isn't just about feeling sad. You can simply end up feeling emotionally numb, like things don't matter.  Or you might feel the emotion deep down, but it's buried under a layer of depression-induced apathy. Certain neurotransmitters, like serotonin, don't get processed properly and you don't experience emotion as you should.

Depression weakens the immune system and the rest of the body. With a compromised immune system, the body is more likely to get sick and is more likely to find it hard to heal from injuries. If you or someone you know seems to be experiencing a lot more sickness, depression may be the culprit.

People who are depressed will do whatever they can to distract themselves from negative emotions, if they have the energy to do so. They may throw themselves into their hobbies or woork, or try to spend more time being active. Alternatively, they may simply talk about their problems without being able to take action toward solving them. Depression shows up differently for everyone.

Being depressed can often make you feel like there's no point to keeping the house clean, or it can deprive you of energy so you don't even feel like taking a shower. If you're depressed, it can be a struggle to even get out of bed some days, let alone perform other tasks.

Being depressed makes it hard for your brain to work properly. If you notice your memory slipping, lose your ability to focus or stay on task, or feel tired all the time, depression is likely the problem. However, it's possible for it to work the other way: someone who was laid-back might suddenly begin filling their schedule to the brim.

Happiness isn't a bad thing, but if you notice someone suddenly start to act overly cheery and joke all the time, consider that they may be compensating for depression. Some of the happiest people can be the saddest on the inside.

Knowing that you or a loved one has depression can be difficult, but you can help. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Offer moral support when you can, but don't be overly pushy. You're likely to push someone further away, and they won't be willing to confide in you. Give them space where they need it, but be observant.
• Don't tell someone to "think positive." That's like telling someone with asthma to "just breathe normally." Also, never say things like "Other people have it worse - This only makes the depressed person feel more guilty and feeds the cycle of negative self-talk.
• If you live with the depressed person or can readily visit, offer to help around the house. A clean living space can ease depression.
• Let the person move and act at their own pace. Depression and other mental disorders are a highly personal thing, and people need to adjust in their own ways.
• Don't be afraid to step back. Take care of your own mental health when necessary so you can be of greater help. You're human too and require self-care and relaxation.
• Look for professional help. Depression comes about because of chemical imbalances in the brain, which require medical treatment.

Do you have your own thoughts or experiences with depression or how you can help? Don't hesitate to let us know in the comments - and don't forget to share with your friends.

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!