- [Narrator] There's been a huge decline
in mental health around the world,
which is why we're so committed
to creating more content than we ever have.
Thanks for being a part of our journey.
Hey you, Psych2goer's happy Mental Health Awareness Month.
It's so important to have a month dedicated
to spreading awareness
of medical conditions that can't be seen.
When you think of depression what do you think of?
Being sad?
Thoughts related to death, unanswered calls or texts?
These are all very common and noticeable signs
of depression, but did you know, there are more subtle signs
of depression that can fly under the radar?
Let's check out seven signs of depression that go unnoticed.
Number one, you toggle between emotions
depending on your surroundings.
When we think of depression
we often think of being sad all the time
but did you know that that isn't always the case?
A subtle sign of depression is when an individual
flips between sadness and happiness
based on the scenario and setting.
For example you might be sad when you're alone
but really happy when you're out with your friends.
Having people around or something to keep your mind off
the things allows for a bit of reprieve.
This can also be something called forced happiness,
where the person feels inclined
to put on a smile for others.
A group of researchers found
that potential depression sufferers on Twitter
change the way they use language
and interact on social media.
You may notice them sending you more negative texts
or posting darker posts on their social media accounts.
But when you hang out with them in person,
they're completely happy.
This online persona allows them to be
and say what they want.
Number two, you notice changes in your habits.
There's a certain stigma around staying up late at night.
When you see posts or texts from a friend
in those early hours, you may not think anything of it
but when you notice it more consistently
this could be caused for concern.
Other habits that can be disrupted can be eating,
bathing, getting dressed
and going to work school or other appointments.
Ignoring these basic human needs is not caring for yourself.
Then it could be a sign that there are more things at play
than just being tired or feeling lazy.
Number three, you start blaming yourself for things
even if it's not your fault.
When you've done something,
it's important to take responsibility for it
and hold yourself accountable.
But do you notice someone apologizing for everything,
even for things they didn't do?
You say I spilled juice on my shirt.
They say, sorry.
You say it's raining, I wanted to go running.
They say, sorry.
They didn't make you spill juice on your shirt.
They didn't make it rain and purposely ruin the day
but they feel like it's their fault.
This can even manifest as remembering
or reliving an embarrassing memory
and not moving on from it.
Even having a feeling of guilt
can leave someone feeling depressed.
Number four, you're not doing what you used to do.
Have you noticed a certain friend
has declined a lot of your invitations to hang out lately?
Did you notice they're not going anywhere
besides work or school?
Maybe there's a friend who still shows up at their hobbies
like sports practice or music rehearsal
but has lost all enjoyment.
These are all signs of potential depression.
When you're depressed,
activities that used to produce dopamine,
the feel good hormone, don't react the same way
causing you to not feel that same joy.
This is another sign that can be paired
with toggling mentioned in the first point.
The individual may feel like they need to match
their previous high spirits
and hide their new emotions
so they don't bring the mood down.
Number five, you have difficulty making decisions.
When you ask your significant other to hang out
it's nice to get some input on what they wanna do
or even leave the decision up to them.
Someone who may have depression
may not have any opinions on anything.
It can be as small as what to eat for dinner
or more difficult like what to major in
or deciding your budget.
This can mean the individual doesn't feel like
they're good or smart enough to make the right decision.
Pushing away from making decisions can be a good indicator
of possible depression.
Number six, you're always on edge.
Irritability is a common symptom
of mental health conditions.
But how can you tell the difference?
Let's say you're crushing on someone
and your friend knows it.
If your friend starts flirting with your crush
in front of you, this is a situation where
being irritable is a valid and reasonable response
but say you have a roommate and one shared TV.
You wanna watch a movie after work, but when you come home
your roommate is already watching something
which causes you to blow up at your roommate.
The reaction is out of proportion to the situation.
Sure, it's annoying that someone's watching TV
but it's something a simple conversation can solve.
You can ask your roommate if they would mind
you watching a movie after they've finished.
That knee jerk reaction to get angry can be a sign
of other mental health issues like depression.
And number seven, you feel physical pain.
Have you ever felt pain like muscle ache or headache?
And you have no idea where it came from?
When you feel physical pains regularly,
it's always a good idea to consult a medical professional
to determine if there are any underlying reasons for them.
If nothing is found, it may be a good next step
to contact a trusted mental health provider.
So did any of these signs surprise you?
Have you noticed these other signs
of depression in yourself or a loved one?
Let us know in the comments blow.
If you are someone you know is concerned
that they may be showing signs of depression,
please consult a mental health professional.
And if you found this video helpful
please share it with others.
The references and studies used are listed
in the description below.
Until next time, take care and see you soon.