
8 Symptoms of Hidden Depression That Everyone Can Experience
Depression is a very serious disease. It can be confused with ordinary fatigue, but it also can hide under excessive workaholism or, on the contrary, feigned happiness. Sadness, a lack of initiative, and loss of physical and moral strength are just a few features of this sickness.
Only a doctor can diagnose depression correctly, but you can notice this emotional disorder on your own.
Bright Side decided to explore some less obvious symptoms of depression that can help to avoid its negative consequences.
8. Philosophical thoughts
7. Searching for excuses
Depressed people often use excuses to hide their real desires and sadness. For example, they compose touching stories about why they can’t go to a friend’s birthday party or why they can’t stay for lunch with colleagues. Convincing excuses serve as a cover so as not to bother anyone with your emotional condition.
6. The lack of an adequate reaction
People with depression can interpret a surrounding reality in a different way. They can agree with everyone, stop expressing their opinion and desires, stop noticing insults, or not feel pain even if it’s inevitable: for example, when they lose a relative.
5. Psychosomatic diseases
Being depressed, people usually complain about heart pain, tension in their hands and legs, breathing difficulties, a headache, a toothache, and other symptoms. As a rule, an examination shows that their health is fine. Various painful sensations point to an unstable condition. In turn, pain causes anxiety and tension, forming a vicious circle and making a person suffer from psychosomatic pain.
4. “Mental chewing gum”
3. Untidy appearance
2. A change in productivity
1. Ostentatious happiness
How to help people and yourself:
- You can test yourself with the help of Beck’s Depression Inventory or the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale.
- If you realize that one of your friends or relatives is depressed, try to talk to them about their health and problems. Offer your help. If a person refuses everything, leave them alone for a while and observe their behavior.
- Don’t depreciate relatives’ and friends’ problems, and don’t joke. Such phrases as “cheer up,” “stop it,” and “calm down” don’t work here.
- Help with household duties and routine tasks: depression takes all of a person’s emotional and physical strength.
- Don’t make a depressed person lead an active lifestyle if they’re not ready.
- Take pauses in your relationship with a depressed person so as not to adopt their condition.
- Debunk the myths that it’s not necessary to visit a doctor. Suggest professional help.
- Be caring. Each smile and perfect post on Instagram can hide serious problems.
Have you ever tried to help someone who was depressed? Do you have your own methods? Share with us!
Source: Bright Side