Number One: Low motivation
Do you find it hard to complete tasks and engage in activities that you once really enjoyed?
Low motivation or anhedonia sits at the core of depression.
When you are depressed, every little thing may feel draining to do.
And it is not that you don’t want to do things, but it’s just too hard to get up and do it.
Unfortunately, low motivation can cause you to become socially withdrawn,
foster negative feelings towards yourself, and have difficulty adjusting to social situations.
Number Two: Hopelessness or helplessness
A defining characteristic of depression is hopelessness. Hopelessness sets in when you feel
stuck and you feel like you no longer see a point in doing anything. Helplessness may then accompany
hopelessness and reinforce the idea that there is no point in anything by making you feel as though
you are incapable of doing anything. It’s like a dark room, and helplessness is the locked door.
Sometimes, your brain can trick you into thinking that things are awful, terrible, and horrible.
In these situations, you can try to challenge these distorted thoughts and argue against
it. Bring up contrary evidence to what it presents. If you find yourself feeling hopeless,
you may want to see if you can identify any recurring thoughts that keep you feeling that way,
and perhaps work with a therapist to change these thought patterns.
Number Three: Fatigue
Another common sign of depression is fatigue. Although there is provisional
evidence linking fatigue, sleep hormones, and depression, most physicians see a lack of sleep
as the cause of depression-related fatigue. However, other factors such as stress, diet,
and antidepressants can also cause fatigue. Yoga, massages, tai chi, and deep breathing
exercises can be great alternatives to restore sleep and improve fatigue.
If you believe that your fatigue is related to lack of sleep, you may want to try to establish
a bedtime routine, as it can help you unwind and signal your brain to produce more melatonin,
the sleep hormone. Consult with a doctor if your fatigue persists or you have concerns.
Number Four: Indecisiveness
Do you often find yourself having trouble with making a choice? Depression can have severe
impacts on cognition. It can affect your thinking, decision-making, memory, cognitive flexibility,
and executive functioning, which may make you appear indecisive or mentally clumsy.
Additionally, the lack of hope that is prevalent during depressive episodes
can make the decision-making process even more difficult as you may always expect a negative
outcome. Unfortunately, antidepressants do not provide any solution for this symptom.
Instead, you may want to reach out to a therapist to learn healthy ways of coping with this symptom.
Number Five: Anxiety
The last sign most people with depression exhibit is anxiety. Anxiety and anxiety
disorders are typically comorbid with depression but can exist on their own. According to the NIH,
45% of people who have been diagnosed with one mental health condition meet the criteria for
two or more disorders. Some common manifestations of anxiety include feeling like you’re in danger,
panic or dread, rapid breathing, and having trouble focusing or thinking.
Although both disorders present similar symptoms, their causes are distinct.
Some things that you can do on your own that may help alleviate your anxiety include allowing
yourself to feel, engaging in simple activities that make you feel in control like making
your bed or taking out the trash, establishing routines, and doing things that bring you comfort.
Are there other common signs of depression that we’ve missed?
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