Depression

How to Know if Your Loved One is Dealing with Depression

By April 3, 2022 No Comments

HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR LOVED ONE IS DEALING WITH DEPRESSION

With the fast-paced, cut-throat, disconnected lives that represent these modern times, depression has become a growing concern in society more than ever before. It affects a person’s day-to-day activities and pushes them into an abyss of despair and disinterest—threatening every aspect of their well-being.

Since depression changes how people think, feel, and function, a life meant to be lived to the fullest quickly turns into a survival act. Therefore, it is crucial to spot the red flags from the beginning, handle the affected person with empathy and tact and get professional help if required.

Let’s dive deep and understand how you can recognize the onset of depression amongst your peers.

Suicide Watch

If you notice an increased obsession in a close person with dying or death, it needs to be taken seriously. One of the significant symptoms of depression is usually an overt fixation on self-harm and suicide. You can notice these in the form of a sudden unusual calmness towards life and a habit of bidding farewell to close ones.

Loss of Appetite or Weight Gain

It has been observed that depression tends to mess around with one’s appetite. Depressed people can either end up eating a lot or develop an uncharacteristic repulsiveness towards food. A drastic weight change is evident in both cases, which might indicate an unstable metabolism: a possible symptom of depression.

Chronic Fatigue

One of the more noticeable signs of depression is when the most minor or trivial tasks like washing dishes, folding clothes, and walking begin to wear someone out. There is visible tiredness and sluggishness in their behavior vis-a-vis these tasks, which isn’t characteristic of their general disposition. This could be the symptom of an impending mental illness since mental illnesses like depression make it harder to overcome the inertia of rest. A depressed person has a much bigger emotional hill to surmount before successfully carrying out the simplest daily tasks.

Erratic Sleeping Patterns

Depression is bound to cause a disruption in the circadian cycle of the sufferer in a harmful manner. The symptoms vary from insomnia to excessive sleep & drowsiness. Visible dark circles and drowsiness represent a clear imbalance in sleeping patterns.

Loss of Concentration & Interest

If a loved one has serious trouble focusing, recollecting things, or making decisions, it can be interpreted as early onset of depression. It can also mean a sudden disinterest in former hobbies, social gatherings, and even sexual activities.

Drastic Mood Swings & Irritability

If they start developing a short fuse and everything gets on their nerves, it’s high time that you set up an appointment with the local counselor. Constantly feeling irritated and restless will make them snap over the smallest discomforts or complications.

Conclusion

Extended periods of exposure to depression can often make your loved one go through a figurative black hole of impending doom. Such considerable turmoil on the inside is often reflected as noticeable physical symptoms on the outside. Therefore, detecting relevant changes in time and getting specialized help can prevent far-reaching consequences.

It is also vital for peers to understand that depression is not a state of mind; rather, it is a serious medical condition. Like any other illness, depression can be addressed clinically, systematically, and effectively. Being there for a loved one through this ordeal can go a long way in ensuring their complete recovery.

If someone you know is suffering from depression or facing psychological difficulties, get professional help from Lifeworks Counseling Center for professional therapy and counseling services.

 

 

 

 

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