One understated mistake surrounding depression is that many people think it's easily spotted – with symptoms that you can easily point out and say "Aha! There's the sign".
Most people associate depression with being extremely sad for long periods of time, and others even think that the only trait to worry about is suicidal ideation.
IMAGE: Everyday Health
While having thoughts of committing suicide is definitely something to pay close attention to, there are also usually other smaller hints and signals that may indicate a person is gradually entering a depressive state.
If you're reading this article, there's a high chance that you either feel something amiss about your or someone else's mental health, and want to know how you can detect warning signs of depression before things start to deteriorate.
What is depression?
Before going over anything, it's probably a good idea to clear the air over what depression really is. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) identifies depression, or major depressive disorder, as a serious mental illness that impacts a person negatively in terms of their everyday emotions, thoughts, and behavior.
The causes of depression are many, although certain factors such as personal life problems, medical conditions, stress, and even gender (females are twice as likely to experience depression compared to men) have known to be more prominent reasons for depression developing in an individual.
IMAGE: Reuters
Depression usually comes with several symptoms such as feeling down, having ideas about death, or having no motivation to do ordinary tasks, and can eventually impact a person's life severely if nothing is done about it.
For a full list of symptoms, you can visit the APA page on depression here.
All that said, the APA says that such symptoms must last for at least two weeks and must represent a change in previous ability to function for there to be a formal diagnosis of depression.
In many cases, those suffering from depression might not even know they have such a condition until things start spiraling out of control. But luckily enough, there are indicators that you can notice to see if you already have depression or not.
Here are some signs that you can look out for that may indicate you may already have depression.
1. You have mood changes and/or anxiety.
One of the warning signs of depression includes sudden mood swings that you can't explain, and bouts of anxiety that come more often than usual. If you suddenly feel as though your moods have been more erratic lately, it might be time to consider whether or not you're already suffering from depression.
2. You experience huge appetite swings.
Your appetite can reveal quite a bit about your mental health, and it isn't uncommon to see individuals with depression go through drastic weight changes in short amounts of time. So if it seems as though you're having an extreme change in appetite, it could be a sign that something is affecting you in your head.
3. You're not interested in anything, anymore.
People who are depressed usually have little motivation or inclination to do anything – even the most common tasks such as eating, showering, hanging out with friends, or pursuing their favorite hobbies.
If you notice that you suddenly feel disinterested in the things you usually enjoy doing, you might want to look deeper into the problem.
4. You sleep poorly.
Poor-quality sleep is something that usually accompanies depression, and those that suffer from it can feel as though they're still too tired during the day even though they slept enough at night. Sometimes, they can also feel quite restless when it's time to sleep.
If this is something you identify with, you should probably look into monitoring your sleeping cycles and talk with a physician about your problem.
5. You suffer from unexplained physical pains.
Even if it's a mental condition, depression can also manifest itself physically via pains in different parts of our bodies. Should you notice the presence of physical pains (such as muscle aches or spasms) without clear reason, even after you've seen a doctor, you might want to throw depression into the list of possible causes. Of course, any pain that comes without a visible cause should be checked out thoroughly by a medical expert.
6. You keep thinking about death or suicide.
Of course, many people have thought about the idea of their own death, or what it would be like if they took their own life. It's morbid, but the thought can cross one's mind every now and then.
But it becomes a problem when the idea of suicide or death becomes something you think about constantly, and you should definitely pay attention to yourself once you notice these thoughts beginning to linger in your mind.
7. You suffer from poor self-esteem.
Those with depression are also known to take hits to their self-esteem levels. If you're finding it difficult to accept yourself, if you're dwelling on past failures or embarrassments, or if you feel it impossible to have a positive outlook on life, it may be time to check yourself for depression.
Help is available.
If any of the above seem like things you or someone else has been experiencing for a while, there's every chance that you could already be going through a depressive episode, even if it doesn't feel too severe.
But all the same, depression is a condition that everyone should regard seriously, considering how worsening it can often lead to serious trouble in the form of self-harm, substance abuse, the development of other psychological conditions, and even death.
The steps you can take to combat depression are progressive, and it should start with professional help.
For the long-term, it pays to visit a qualified psychiatrist and get yourself properly diagnosed before undergoing any form of treatment. It can be tempting to self-medicate using over-the-counter options, but doing so could end up costlier and more damaging in the long run, especially if you're not completely sure of what you're doing.
IMAGE: Nanyang Chronicle
If you need help immediately, there are also the options of speaking out about your problems with someone you trust and whom you think can provide you with sound advice. In the event you don't feel like you have a person to talk to, there are always mental health and suicide hotlines that you can reach out to.
Click here to view a list of mental health resources around Southeast Asia.
Also, while it may seem difficult, it's also worth taking care of yourself while you get the treatment or counseling that you require. Easy things you can do include abstaining from alcohol or drugs, getting more physical activity, and spending less time on social media.
If you can afford to, take some time off work, and try to focus your energy into doing things that you know make you happy.
At the end of the day, remember that depression – like every other mental condition – isn't something that you choose to have, and that there is no embarrassment in trying to seek help to fix your condition.
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Cover image sourced from Verywell Mind and Allison Schreffler on Flickr.
