Am I depressed? If you have ever asked yourself this question, you’ve come to the right place. Though the term “depressed” is often thrown around in casual conversation at times, it’s a serious mental health issue that deserves serious attention. Are you depressed? Although it can present itself in varying degrees of severity, there are ways to tell. Here are six of them:
#1: Feeling Sad or Down
Everyone feels sad or down in the dumps occasionally. This can be a normal part of mood and emotional swings that occur as we go through our daily life. When the feelings of sadness or emptiness are persistent and pervasive and are affecting your life consistently, that is an indicator that it’s more than just the blues.
#2: Hopelessness or Worthlessness
Depression can make your entire outlook on life feel bleak. It’s more than just being in a bad mood or having a bad day; it’s a perpetual feeling of hopelessness. This includes what constant pessimism as well as a sense of worthlessness. Self-hate and feelings of inadequacy are also common with depression.
#3: Loss of Interest
Losing interest in something that is boring or no longer serves you is not the same as losing interest in things due to depression. Being depressed can make you feel like you’re no longer interested in many of the things that used to bring you joy and happiness. This can include lost interest in sports, hobbies, family, activities, events, and your job and career.
#4: Fatigue and Exhaustion
Feelings of extreme fatigue and exhaustion can be symptoms of many health issues. If you combine them with some of the other signs of depression, you can see how they could be consistent with this mental health diagnosis. The lack of energy and tiredness that go along with depression can be debilitating. This can sometimes present itself alongside the inability to get restful sleep, which in turn exacerbates the problem.
#5: Feelings of Anxiety
Anxiety disorder is a separate issue than depression, but they can sometimes occur together. Anxiety can include feeling nervous, agitated, restless, or panicked. It can also make you feel like you’re in imminent danger or at risk of death. Your heart rate can rise; you can experience rapid breathing, sweating, trembling, muddled thinking, and lack of focus.
#6: Changes in Weight and Appetite
Depression can induce changes in weight and appetite. In some people, it can lead to overeating and weight gain while others suffer from extreme loss of appetite and weight loss. If the changes feel involuntary or outside of your control, this could be an indicator of depression.
If you feel like you have any of the above signs or symptoms of depression or if you’re asking yourself – am I depressed – don’t wait to see if they go away. Contact Positive Living Psychotherapy today and get started on a path to a better, happier life.
If you have thoughts of suicide or if someone you know is at risk, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800- 273- 8255.