Feeling sad or lonely from time to time is a normal part of life. We all get down as a common reaction to life’s many struggles or when we’re faced with an unexpected loss. However, when these symptoms become overwhelming or emotions such as hopelessness and despair take hold and last for long periods of time, this can keep you from leading an active and normal life. This may lead you to wonder how to know if you’re depressed or just in a funk.
When you have depression, it becomes difficult to function and enjoy life in the same way that you once did. Even simple tasks, or just trying to get through the day, can feel overwhelming. If depression goes untreated, it may get worse leading to pain and even suicide. However, there are ways for depression to be managed and treated. The first thing you need to do is recognize if you’re suffering from depression.
What is Depression?
Depression is a common mood disorder that can change how you feel, think, and function in your daily activities. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), “16.1 million adults aged 18 years or older in the U.S. experienced at least one major depressive episode in the last year, which represented 6.7 percent of all American adults. Depression is the leading cause of disability in the United States among people ages 15-44.” Depression can interfere with your ability to eat, sleep, work, and just enjoy life in general. The feelings of worthlessness can become so intense that it may feel as if you’ll never get any relief.
It’s often stated that depression comes from a chemical imbalance in the brain. However, depression doesn’t just simply stem from an imbalance of brain chemicals. There are many different possible causes of depression that can come from stressful life events, medications, imbalanced mood regulation in the brain, and medical problems to name a few. Several of these factors can also interact with each other to cause depression. So how exactly do you know if you’re depressed?
How to Know If You’re Depressed
Depression varies depending on the person, but there are several common signs and symptoms that will allow you to know if you’re depressed. Any of these symptoms can be experienced throughout your lifetime. However, the more symptoms that you have at once, and the longer they last, the more likely it is that you have depression. Signs to tell if you’re depressed can include:
- Feelings of intense hopelessness. This can feel like a helpless outlook where nothing will get better and there’s nothing you can do about it.
- Difficulty concentrating and remembering details. This can also include having trouble making any kind of decision.
- Loss of interest in everyday activities. Hobbies and social activities that you once loved no longer bring you joy or pleasure.
- Overeating or appetite loss. A change in your body weight through either weight gain or loss every month without intentional dieting is a result of overeating or not eating enough.
- Irritability and anger. If your tolerance level is low and you feel restless and agitated, you may be experiencing depression.
- Changes in your sleep. A common sign of depression is insomnia or even sleeping throughout the day.
- Reckless and wild behavior. Escapist behavior like reckless driving or substance abuse is commonly used to try to alleviate depression.
- Self-loathing and feelings of worthlessness. You find yourself feeling guilty and full of low self-esteem while you often criticize yourself over small mistakes.
- Extreme loss of energy. Small tasks become exhausting and you feel physically drained every day.
- Aches and pains that won’t go away. These unexplained physical pains can include back pain, headaches, and stomach pain.
- Suicidal thoughts. When your feeling of worthlessness is so difficult that you are thinking of committing suicide or have already attempted, this is a major warning flag for depression.
When you’re depressed, it may feel as if there’s nothing you can do to change the way you feel. However, there are many options available now to help you find the right treatment for your depression. If you suffer from several, if not all of the signs above for longer periods of time, you need to contact a medical professional who can help get you on the right path to treatment.
Mid City TMS and Depression
Learning how to know if you’re depressed is the first step you can take to overcome your depression and begin building a healthier and active life once again. While there are many treatments available to help fight depression, not every person reacts the same way to each treatment. At Mid City TMS, our transcranial magnetic stimulation is one of the most effective and safest procedures available for treating depression. If you think you may have depression and are looking for the most effective treatments available, contact us today at Mid City TMS so we can help you get your happy healthy life back on track.
