Depression is incredibly difficult to deal with.
What makes depression so tricky is that we often cannot see it. Many tend to think, “Well, that person is always laughing and smiling, how could they be depressed?” However, a lot of those suffering from depression try to not show it. So what signs can we look for in a loved one to find out if they’re struggling?
INSOMNIA
Sleeping patterns is often a good start when it comes to warning signs of depression. If they are sleeping most days away, are unable to sleep, or often up extremely late into the night, there is a good chance they make be struggling with something. Be sure to ask your loved ones how they are sleeping, making sure they are getting the required amount of sleep (typically eight hours) but not sleeping too much either.
LOSS OF INTEREST
This is usually the go-to sign of depression. When someone is struggling, they tend to lose interest in things that make them happy. Hobbies, activities, going out, and even sex. Doing things that make yourself happy can easily become a fleeting thought when you’re depressed because the motivation/desire to do it just isn’t there. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your loved ones and see how they’re doing if they seem to be lacking motivation most days.
LACK OF CONFIDENCE
Is your loved one often hard on themselves? Are they saying negative things about themselves, even in a joking or light-hearted manner? These are the questions we should ask ourselves every day. Everyone can be hard on themselves, but it’s to the degree of how hard and how often they are doing it. Don’t be afraid to pay small compliments to your loved one, sometimes even the smallest thing said can make the biggest difference in someone’s world.
CONCLUSION
Think of a time you lacked the motivation to do even the simplest task. Now imagine you’re struggling with that every day but no matter how hard you try, you can’t get yourself to do it. That is what it is like to suffer from depression. Depression is not made up, it’s real and has real-life consequences. So if you or someone you know starts to have warning signs, take the matter seriously. Sometimes all you need is a friend to talk to and sometimes you need to get professional help. There is no shame in admitting you need help and always remember; YOU MATTER.