Nowadays, people’s stress is increasing. Many people not only have to face heavy workloads but also deal with family relationships. Therefore, the pressure they bear can be significant. Without proper guidance and intervention, there is a high possibility of developing mental illnesses.
In recent years, we often hear about people committing suicide due to depression. Actor Qiao Renliang lost his life because of depression; our beloved “Brother” Leslie Cheung also tragically passed away due to depression. Therefore, depression is not only limited to celebrities or ordinary people; anyone can end their life due to depression, which is truly regrettable.
Therefore, early detection and treatment of depression are essential to gradually emerge from the shadows and lead a happier life. So how can you identify if you are suffering from depression early? Let’s analyze it together below.
People with depression typically exhibit certain characteristics. If you haven’t been affected, you are very fortunate.
Lack of pleasure: One of the most typical manifestations of people with depression is feeling bored with life, being disinterested in anything, not finding joy even in participating in various entertainment activities or events that used to excite them. Mild patients may avoid social activities while severe cases may choose to live in isolation, distancing themselves from family and friends, cutting off contact with everyone.
Obvious depressive mood: Depression is usually characterized by low spirits, constantly filled with negative emotions, feeling unhappy all day, being irritable, anxious, and depressed. Severe cases might be continuously gloomy, pessimistic, despondent, even exhibiting suicidal tendencies. Not only do they often express a desire to commit suicide, but they might also engage in self-harm. Therefore, family members must pay close attention.
Changes in appetite: People with depression may lose interest in eating, even in foods they used to love. They may lose weight and might reach a point where they have no desire to eat or think about food. However, a small number of depression patients may develop an increased appetite. If you experience significant changes in your appetite and mood, you must take it seriously.
Persistent feelings of fatigue: Depression patients may inexplicably experience persistent fatigue, feeling physically exhausted and mentally drained. They often feel incapable and lack initiative in everything they do. In severe cases, they may not even want to engage in daily activities such as eating or personal hygiene, spending the whole day in bed.
Various physical discomfort: Patients with depression generally experience various unexplained physical discomforts. Even after medical examinations show no major issues, they might experience random body aches, fatigue, constipation, chest tightness, palpitations, etc. Medications targeting specific symptoms often have minimal effect. These symptoms are likely stress-related, as excessive stress can lead to physical fatigue or various discomforts, and these could also be early signs of depression.
Poor sleep quality: Most depression patients often experience sleep disturbances. Although falling asleep might be easy, they tend to wake up after a few hours and remain awake in a depressive mood, staying awake until morning, feeling extremely exhausted and powerless, even developing a sense of desperation. Some individuals might oversleep, known as “atypical depression.”
Intense feelings of inferiority: Mild depression patients often experience feelings of inferiority, feeling worthless and insignificant, while severe cases may feel utterly useless, constantly expressing dissatisfaction and feeling incapable of doing anything right. They might feel their existence is pointless, accompanied by strong feelings of guilt and self-blame.
Thoughts and behaviors of suicide: Another ultimate expression is suicidal thoughts and actions. The most dangerous patients cannot escape the mental and physical pain, often harboring thoughts of suicide and eventually acting upon them, using suicide as a means of relief. Therefore, if someone around you shows these signs, you must take it seriously, show care and support, and help them manage their emotions.
Depression mainly arises from excessive psychological stress and a lack of understanding of seeking psychological help in daily life. Therefore, it’s crucial to prevent such situations and confide in family or friends or seek help from a mental health professional to help you overcome your psychological difficulties at an early stage, enabling you to lead a life filled with sunlight.
