Article From: Healthy Living
1. Fatigue
Though a symptom caused by lots of other conditions, when combined with other depression symptoms, fatigue is a tell-tale sign that you have the condition.
People with depression will experience emotional changes that can impact their physical health, making them feel overall more tired and unable to move as quickly. Their thought processes will slow down and they will have very little energy to get up and about, and get things done like they used to.
2. Sleep problems
There are two ways that depression
might affect your sleep. First of all, you might find it difficult to become relaxed enough to fall asleep. You may find that you can put your head down on a pillow, but have to wait hours until you fall asleep, as a result of your low feelings distracting you.
Some people, however, will sleep for more than 12 hours each day and still feel depressed or tired, as a result of having no emotional interest in doing something with their day.
3. General irritability
Instead of seeming like a
person is down or sad, a person with depression might just be short tempered and irritable. This is particularly common in men, who get angry about their low feelings and can easily lash out.
As a result of constantly feeling down or depressed, men often get angry and this can be particularly noticeable to close friends and family – so watch out for sadness combined with anger.
4. An inability to concentrate
As a result of having a lack of interest in daily activities, a person can also begin to find it difficult to concentrate. This is known as psychomotor retardation, meaning that the brain is unable to process information as quickly as it used to, making it practically impossible to complete tasks that would usually be considered easy or at least, achievable.
Depression takes over the whole brain with depressing thoughts, meaning that anything other than these thoughts of sadness are unable to receive the focus they need from the brain.
5. Anxiety
Thought anxiety is actually a condition reported by many and diagnosed by itself, it can come hand in hand with depression. Research has shown that there are strong connections between depression and anxiety disorders.
It’s now known that men are more likely to experience depression whereas women are far more likely to experience anxiety.
6. Alcoholism/drug taking
Substance abuse, whether it involves illegal drug taking, or alcoholism, is prevalent among people with depression. Research has shown time and time again that people with depression are more likely to abuse alcohol and drugs, and in that alcoholics are more likely to suffer from depression.
It seems like these two problems go hand in hand, and if you notice a friend drinking too much or taking drugs constantly, then they may have an underlying mental condition like depression.
7. Erectile dysfunction
In men, erectile dysfunction is common when suffering from depression. Erectile dysfunction occurs as a result of men not having any real interest in sex, which manifests itself physically. Though many men don’t report the issue, likely as a result of being embarrassed, it has been known for many years that erectile dysfunction goes hand in hand with the problem.
8. Suicidal thoughts
This is one of the most serious symptoms of having depression, and it involves constant thoughts about how one might kill oneself. These thoughts can quickly manifest into a serious attempt of trying to end one’s life, making this a worrying problem that family should try to solve right away.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, it’s essential that you speak to your doctor or your closest family immediately. Remember that depression can be treated, and no matter how bad you feel right now, it isn’t as hopeless as you think.
9. Trouble making decisions
If a person suddenly has trouble making decisions, and they have never acted like this in the past, then it is possible that they are suffering from depression. A bizarre, yet common, symptom of depression is a difficulty making decisions.
So if somebody is suddenly acting as if they don’t know what to do, or how they want to go about their day, or even something as simple as not knowing what to eat, try to find out more about what’s going on.
It’s possible that the depression is taking over their thought processes and damaging their ability to make decisions as a result.
10. General stress
Finally, stress will be a likely accompaniment to depression. When you suffer from depression, it becomes more difficult to go about your life, and if you’re at work, you’re going to find it even more tiresome and difficult to do what your boss requires of you.
Stress will occur quite easily, as a result.
P.S. I have suffered with depression for over 40 years. I think it stems fro a severe concussion that I had when I was in an accident. Do not be afraid to get help! The Dr. will not think you are crazy. I don't know why but I do not usually discuss my depression with anyone. It is a very lonely journey. I am on medication and that helps but sometimes it needs to be increased. Do not suffer alone like I do reach out to a Dr. I hope you find this article helpful! Have a great day! You are worth living!
