In this fast-paced era, everyone’s life is like a marathon, sometimes sprinting, sometimes walking slowly, and occasionally stopping to catch a breath. On this journey, occasional moments of low spirits seem to be a frequent visitor, prompting one to ask, “Why am I always unhappy? Is this a sign of depression?” With these questions in mind, let’s explore the difference between depressive moods and clinical depression, and how self-assessment can help us better understand our inner world!
Feeling down ≠ Depression
First and foremost, it is important to understand that occasional feelings of low spirits do not equate to depression. Challenges in life, stress, disappointments, or even seasonal changes can temporarily lead to emotional lows. This is a normal fluctuation of human emotions, and in most cases, with time and appropriate adjustments, moods can improve on their own. However, if negative emotions persist and severely affect daily life, serious consideration should be given to the possibility of depression.
15 Self-assessment Symptoms, Understanding One’s Emotional State
1. Persistent low mood
Waking up almost every day feeling heavy-hearted, losing interest in surroundings, and happiness seeming like a distant luxury.
2. Decreased interest
Activities once loved are no longer appealing, and even small daily pleasures fail to evoke any emotional response.
3. Sleep problems
Either tossing and turning all night struggling to fall asleep or sleeping excessively and waking up still exhausted.
4. Changes in appetite
It could be loss of appetite, sudden weight loss, or seeking comfort through food, leading to unintended weight gain.
5. Exhaustion
Feeling physically and mentally drained even without engaging in strenuous activities, as if all energy has been drained.
6. Low self-esteem
Constant self-doubt, feeling worthless, and a sense of hopelessness about the future.
7. Difficulty concentrating
Thoughts become blurry, memory declines, and even simple tasks become hard to focus on.
8. Restlessness
Often feeling restless and unable to calm down, filled with inexplicable fears about the future.
9. Physical discomfort
Unexplained pains, stomachaches, dizziness, or other physical discomfort, with no apparent cause found in routine checks.
10. Slowed movements
Speech and actions become slow, even simple daily activities feel strenuous.
11. Guilt
Feeling unjustifiably guilty, harboring past minor incidents, and believing one has wronged others.
12. Thoughts of death
Thinking about death repeatedly, even contemplating suicide.
13. Social withdrawal
Avoiding social interactions with friends and family, preferring solitude, feeling others cannot understand.
14. Mood swings
Emotions fluctuate unpredictably, switching between sadness and anger, with emotions difficult to control.
15. Loss of interest in sex
Losing interest in intimacy with a partner, which could be an indirect manifestation of low spirits.
Points to note for self-assessment
If you find yourself meeting many of the above symptoms, and this situation persists for more than 2 weeks, then it may be necessary to address your mental health. It is important to remember that self-assessment is just an initial understanding; diagnosing depression requires evaluation by a professional. Depression is a manageable condition that can be effectively treated with medication, therapy, or a combination of both, with key emphasis on seeking timely help and appropriate treatment.
Ways to seek help
1. Professional counseling
Consult a psychologist or counselor for face-to-face sessions.
2. Hotline support
Utilize mental health helplines, which are available 24/7 in many countries and regions for free psychological assistance.
3. Online resources
Access reliable online platforms for mental health knowledge and self-help tools.
4. Community support
Engage in mental health groups or community activities to receive mutual support from those going through similar experiences.
Remember, recognizing your feelings and seeking help is a brave act. In this world, no one is an island, there is always warm light waiting to guide us out of the shadows. Facing depression, we are not alone, because hope and help are always there! #In-depth Article Plan#
