The symptoms of depression are not always clear. Often we overlook subtle mental changes that later turn into severe depression. Psychologists point out that depression is not a specific pattern, and symptoms can be different in each. Symptoms of depression can be common in the early stages, such as your friend prefers to watch TV at home instead of hanging out with you, or he is not showing interest in activities he used to enjoy.
Teenagers proceed rapidly from normal depression symptoms to more severe. So if you or someone you know has been exhibiting some changed behavior for two weeks or more, then you need to be concerned.
To help yourself or a friend you have to know about the symptoms. These below-given symptoms people consider normal, but they can also be alarm bells.
1. Stay up Late at Night
A person who appears normal during the day may have trouble sleeping at night. A person who wakes up late at night due to depression does not want to get up from bed in the morning and sleeps for long hours during the day. There can be many reasons for not sleeping at night, but a depressed person can stay awake without any other reason.
2. Loss of Interest in Favorite Activities
Sudden change in interests can be a red flag, people with mild symptoms get better, but people with a severe stage show significant symptoms. If you or someone you know is no longer enjoying the activities he used to enjoy then some mental inquiry is needed and he should visit a counselor.
3. Sudden Weight Loss and Changes in Appetite
There may be significant changes in the appetite cycle of a person with depression, although this symptom is somewhat contradictory and affects the individual’s mental and physical structure. There is a problem of increasing appetite and weight gain in some people, and some people may lose weight suddenly. However, a deliberate dietary change is not a symptom of depression.
4. Sudden Energy Increament
This common belief among people is that the depressed person becomes slow and sluggish, but the condition can be the opposite. In fact, a person suffering from depression is obsessed with a single thought, due to which sometimes he exhibits abnormal energy. If your beloved is suffering from these symptoms, keep in mind that it can also manifest in reckless behavior. Males, in particular, tend to be more aggressive and perform risky tasks.
5. Feeling of Guilt
An idle person may feel worthless, due to which the feeling of guilt intensifies. A person may feel guilty because of depression and his sense of guilt can even lead him to end his existence. That is why if your partner shows such symptoms, stay with them most of the time and participate in mental improvement.
6. Unexplained Physical Symptoms
Because the mind connects with the whole body, if someone is mentally ill, it will have a relative effect on the body. For example, if one thinks too much, he loses weight. But some signs of depression can also be due to unexplained physical causes, including digestive issues, constant pain in specific areas of the head, and feeling tired without doing anything.
How to Get Help
If you see these types of symptoms in yourself or in your dear ones, then it is the beginning of a depression that should be ended. According to psychiatrists, early-stage depression is completely curable, for which you need counseling and a series of medications.
If you do not want to go out and express yourself, you can take help of online counseling; it is an accessible and effective way. You can consult the country’s famous psychiatrist, Dr. Sanjay Jain, online. He provides effective depression treatment in Jaipur. But you will be able to get better condition from few initial sessions, so first, take only online consultation and later visit the clinic as per doctor’s call.
Here you can console your loved one with the below-prescribed advice.
If Someone You Know Has Symptoms
If your friend is at an obsessive level of depression or trying to harm themself, immediate treatment is essential, but until you get help, you can keep them under control with the following measures.
- Create a safe environment
- Be willing to support treatment
- Be kind
- Encourage them to seek professional help
If You’re Experiencing Symptoms
Controlling oneself is a difficult task. People often take dangerous steps and get out of control in a state of depression, so find a helper and ask him to book an appointment with professional. Never try to fight your depression alone.
- Recognize if you’re starting to slip
- Ignore incorrect attitudes
- Don’t wait for severity
- Keep therapist number on speed dial
- Ask for help as soon as possible
Every mental disorder indicates signs before getting serious, which you should not ignore. So make yourself aware of those signs and do everything possible to help the psychopath. Professional counseling is always a good treatment option. If you are experiencing even the initial symptoms, consult a psychologist; he will suggest ways of prevention and treatments.