We all, at one time or another, feel down and may have no desire to do much. After a couple of days, we are back to normal; it was just the “blues”. Unfortunately for others, it’s not like that.
In addition to feeling down and not having any desire to do anything, they also feel despair and panic. Little by little it consumes them and they feel empty. They no longer are interested in going out, friends, family and hobbies. It will even affect their jobs. A person doesn’t become depressed overnight and most of them don’t even notice.
Circumstances in their day to day life can cause depression. For instance, continual setbacks, disappointments and day to day struggles with life can cause a person to fall into depression. The sufferer’s of depression feel like they are living in a black hole and the life is being sucked right out of them. Every day their despair is worst. Nothing looks as though it will ever change and they lose all sense of hope. In this state of mind they can’t help but to feel pessimistic. At home they live in darkness most of the time.
They either sleep too much or not enough. Some don’t eat, others can’t stop eating. They are anxious, flustered, edgy and moody. The longer they are in this state of depression, the worst it can get. They will not come out of their homes and find themselves crying on and off all day. Some feel so lost and hopeless, that they start believing things would be better off if they weren’t living.
Depression affects everyone around them and sadly, even if they realize it, they can’t seem to help it. What can happen is that they may feel even worst. The best thing for this person is to seek help. Friends and family really can’t help them out of this feeling. They find it difficult to speak to those around them because at times we just don’t understand what they are feeling. Depression varies from person to person and affects the young and old. Here are some of the signs of depression:
- Self loathing
- Can’t concentrate
- Lack of energy
- No interest in normal activities
- Increased complaints about headaches, backaches and stomach pains
- Inability to enjoy life and experience pleasure
- Restlessness
If you or a person you know suffers from all or some of these symptoms, seek professional help. There are different types of services and support groups that can help. One thing that we must all be on the lookout for is when the symptoms are so bad that the person has thoughts of suicide. This is when a person is so far into their depression that they feel this is their only outlet. Now, those that do have these thoughts do not voice them for fear that someone will stop them. But be attentive of what they say. Many will begin to put their affairs in order. Constantly saying I love you, thank you and giving you the sense as though they are saying goodbye forever. Another hint that something is seriously wrong is when they go from being extremely depressed to happy and calm, all of a sudden.
We must understand this, depression is not something that comes and goes in a blink of an eye. The person that is suffering from it can’t express how they feel and most likely won’t because we might not understand. Their problems to us may seem like nothing but to them it’s everything. Luckily if they seek professional help, they can come out of this state of mind. At times therapy will be sufficient. If the symptoms are too strong, then medication will help. Whether you suffer from depression or someone you love does, there is hope, be patient and work at it. Tomorrow can be a brighter day, just take it one step at a time.