5 signs You are Experiencing Depression

It’s understandable to experience highs and lows in life. After all, any and all emotions are a normal human experience. For example, we are sad after losing someone in our life. It’s normal to expect to be disappointed in ourselves when we receive a poor review at work. Depression is more than a temporary experience though.. It is something that can take hold of how someone feels about themselves, how they perform in the world, and change their energy levels, and ability to participate in activities.

It’s incredibly important to recognize the signs that you are experiencing depression so that you can receive the support needed to receive meaningful support and healing. Below we will go through 5 signs that you are experiencing depression.

Sign 1: Persistent Low Mood or Emotional Numbness

When we say persistent, what we mean is a low mood or numbness that lasts consistently for 2 weeks or longer. Your emotions will be sad, empty, or you are feel “flatlined” for most of the day. Things that would normally bring you excitement no longer do, and life seems to have no interest any longer. If you are experiencing this, it is a strong sign you may be struggling with a depressive episode.

It can be normal to experience this level of sadness if you have recently went through a significant loss. Following the grief process, your emotions should rise. If they do not, this could be a sign of persistent grief and should be evaluated by a therapist.

Sign 2: Loss of Interest or Pleasure

If you’ve lost your drive for the day you typically feel you could be depressed. Those who once truly enjoyed their job and looked forward to the challenge, no longer feel this way – possibly calling in sick repeatedly for no reason just to avoid the task. Or your previously enjoyed weekend activity now feels lackluster, and so you start not showing up leaving friends wondering what happened to you. As you slowly start disconnecting from people and things, your world begins to quietly shrink.

Sign 3: Changes in Energy, Sleep, or Appetite

Oftentimes, our clients who are depressed describe waking up and sensing little energy even after a full night’s rest. Other physical signs of depression are a decrease or increase in appetite and possibly a change in sleeping too much or even insomnia. Your body can feel “as heavy as rocks.” Depression can feel like chronic fatigue in anything that you do. Due to the lowering of neurochemicals released by the brain, most will experience some type of physical change when you are depressed.

Sign 4: Negative Thought Patterns

Depression changes our outlook on the world, often causing an increase in self criticism and internal thoughts of worthlessness. Depressed individuals may become negative and critical about those their lives, and may become argumentative or avoidant of others.

When you are depressed, it is possible to struggle with ruminations as well. What this means is that for an elongated amount of time you are trapped in a circular thought pattern that does not end. A person could ruminate throughout the day on the same thing, also interrupting their productivity and focus. Ruminations can be dangerous because they often will simply reinforce the negative beliefs of the depression.

Sign 5: Difficulty Functioning in Daily Life

As you can imagine when you are experiencing any or all of the above, life can be tough when you are dealing with depression. In making decisions, your focus and concentration will be impacted. Additionally due to low energy and motivation you could also be getting negative feedback at work or school on your performance. The stress of these circumstances can cause further difficulty due to the potential to react poorly towards others in irritability.

Why Therapy when your depressed helps

Therapists do more than just talk and support you when your depressed. We are the ones who are going to help you identify poor patterns of thought that are keeping you depressed. Additionally, we will help you to build a tailored plan that will work for you to build back your investment and happiness in your life. Depression is very treatable when you are engaged with the right providers. Counseling is great place to begin that can naturally and holistically help.

Connect with a Therapist

If you see yourself in the above, we encourage you to seek out help. The saying that “there is no better time than the present” rings true with this. Sometimes it just takes a little support to make a big change in your life.