It can be hard to tell when we’re depressed. Many other illnesses present physical symptoms that are recognizable. We know when we have a cold, we know when we have a stomach bug, but we can’t always tell when we’re depressed. Depression warps the way the mind thinks about life, which makes it even more difficult to say to ourselves, “I think I’m depressed.” Let’s look at some of the symptoms of depression and how to tell if you’re suffering from it.
How to Tell If You Have Depression
First, it’s important to understand that depression changes the way you feel about yourself and the world around you. That’s a sign of depression, but it can also make it hard for you to see you’re depressed. You think everything else is wrong, including you, but you can’t see that depression is making you feel that way. Overcoming those thoughts and feelings are tough to do.
We’ve talked about the common signs of depression on our blog before, but it’s important to touch base on a few of these symptoms:
- Feeling down and sad all the time
- Lack of interest in hobbies and everyday activities
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Lack of concentration and focus
- Suicidal thoughts, however, fleeting
Think about how you normally feel and act during the day. If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, or others, you may be depressed. If you’re acting out of the norm for any reason, you might be depressed, too. It’s important to recognize when you’re just feeling sad and when you might be depressed. Depression might need you to do more to overcome it. Depression can be hard to beat, especially if you don’t see the symptoms in yourself.
By being aware of how you’re feeling and what your thoughts are, you can identify some of the symptoms of depression in yourself. You can also rely on others to tell you if they think you’re acting differently; sometimes when others point something out about you, you can see it more clearly than trying to see it in yourself. Use these cues and signs to help yourself overcome depression by seeking the help you need and deserve, no matter how sad or hopeless you’re feeling.