ASADS
ASADS
Nov 4 · 4 min read

HIDDEN SIGNS OF DEPRESSION AND HOW TO HELP A LOVED ONE…

Very often, when the topic about depression comes up, most people say they know or have lost someone to it. They talk about how they had not known what the individual had been going through or battling with which then leads to the conversation of depression not having any warning signs.

It is settled that indeed depression has many faces, it’s a happy face, a sad face, a fulfilled face etc., it wears a mask and we cannot for certain point fingers and say “this person is depressed or that person is depressed” except of course the diagnosis of a medical doctor.

However, there are subtle signs that reveal a person may be depressed or struggling with their mental health and these are a few amongst others.

  • PESSIMISTIC POINTS OF VIEW AND PHILOSOPHIZING
  • Very often we hold conversations with people and from what they say, it is easy to know the type of person they are and the way their mind works. For example, two people getting to know each other before starting a relationship talk and listen to each other, they go on dates and then decide if they want to with each other based on the conversation and the feeling they get from each other. So it is when we have conversation with colleagues, friends, family, significant other and even strangers. When we talk to people besides listening to reply, we need to listen attentively to what they may be telling us.

When we realize that a person we are conversing with is being deeply pessimistic and overly analytical, that could be a sign that something is wrong somewhere and that individual is depressed. Most people struggling with depression often do not see the positive side of any situation and only talk about negatives. They tend to view things, life with a sense of harsher realism than those individuals not depressed. This is a soft sign that person may be battling with their mental health.

• DIFFERENT SLEEPING AND EATING HABITS

Another sign is when a person starts sleeping less or too much. It been stated by doctors the benefits of a good sleeping pattern and how it improves with a person’s mood and mind and the dangers of not sleeping. Lack of sleep can contribute to depression and depression can make it impossible or difficult to sleep. Also a change in the eating habits. Individuals struggling with their mind may begin to eat to little because food gives them no joy or too much. Yes!! We are humans and sometimes do comfort eating but when this becomes too much to the extent that it becomes an addiction then it’s a problem.

• THEY MAY PUT OUT A CRY FOR HELP, ONLY TO TAKE IT BACK

This particular point is quite important because almost every person is on social media nowadays and we sometimes see the last posts of people before they passed away and wish we had understood or responded quickly. Most of the time, individuals who are depressed may put up a post about how they are struggling with their health and instead of being kind as people, we laugh it off.

When we notice posts of such, our first instinct should be to send a kind message, to encourage them to seek treatment, to be kind, to offer listening ears t what they may be passing through and offer help where we can. It is pertinent we understand how our reactions may sometimes make or break a person especially when their mental state is extremely delicate. Its best to be kind or rather refer them to a mental health agency than to mock and laugh at them for speaking and expressing how they are feeling.

• THEY ARE CONSTANTLY TIRED & WITHDRAW FROM THINGS THEY LOVE DOING

It is important to observe when a person keeps creating excuses as to why they no longer do the things they loved doing. It is also okay to know when to give individuals breaks so they can rest and re-energize. Most of the time individuals going through depression may not want to leave their house, they may not want to go out, they want to be left alone all the time. It the same way it could also be that they work and work and work. They refuse to take any break or rest. This is a major symptom that something is wrong. It’s sometimes hard to see behind the mask of happiness that individuals with hidden depression wear but it is not impossible.

• SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND LOW SEX DRIVE

These are some major revealers that a person may be going through it. When a person uses drugs as a means of an escape from reality or to cope with their emotions or loneliness and cannot stand him or herself when sober then there is a problem. Also depression could show itself in having a low sex drive, which wasn’t the case earlier but due to loss of interest in sex, fatigue and low energy levels or a low self-esteem.

These amongst others are a few hidden symptoms of depression and as its cause has not been discovered yet. It is imperative for us all as humans to be kind to each other and also to our selves. That we seek treatment immediately we notice something is wrong or changing. It is important that we rest and rest well and even when it comes to daily life routines, that we are able to balance it. The importance of exercising regularly cannot also be overemphasized. And when we know a loved one is experiencing depression we need to encourage them to seek treatment, plan enjoyable activities with them, offer to accompany them for appointments with a therapist or a doctor, encourage them to take their medications and to listen to them without judgment.

By: Tomi J. Ibadin for ASADS

    ASADS

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    ASADS

    Anti suicide and depression squad aims to educate and spread awareness on depression, suicidal thoughts and Mental health .

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