In my previous post, I talked about Depression, and how the mindset of an Individual works when he/she is most likely to become a prey of depression.
I apologize for using the term ‘depressed people’ like they are any different, but I had to be more specific. I hope you understand. 🙂
I would highly recommend you to read that before we can talk about the possible symptoms.
Even though it is quite difficult to comprehend what goes inside the mind of a person, there are a few signs that can help you assess if someone is on the verge of slipping into depression or already trapped.
1. Excessive Sleep
A person suffering from depression will sleep all day long, or at least pretend to be asleep to avoid interactions.
They are addicted to their alone time, lying in their bed, with windows and curtains shut, earphones plugged in , and listening to Changes by XXXTentacion or some other sad songs.
They might tell you that they feel peaceful while listening to this music, but you must be aware that these songs are just pulling them more into the black hole of depression.
2. Sleep Deprived
Depression takes away the ability of people to relax and have a good night’s sleep.
They are up all night, wondering what went wrong, why they aren’t good enough, and what not. Night-time is the most active time of their life.
Being an insomniac doesn’t validate your depression. But if you voluntarily stay awake to think about what happened with you 2 years back at a public event, it is a major reason of concern.
3. Staying Indoors
There is no better comfort like home. Avoiding social gatherings and public events is completely fine.
However, procrastinating about meeting friends and family is not okay. Because if their loved ones aren’t aware of their situation, they’ll probably end up stuck in the deep pitfall. And no one can save them.
There can be two reasons why they don’t talk to or visit their friends –
Unwillingness to face their loved ones, to avoid bothering them for their personal concerns.
Inability to explain their pain, because they themselves don’t understand how they feel.
If you are introverted soul who loves to stay back home just to spend some quality time with yourself, like me, you are not depressed. It’s healthy.
4. Frustration
Short-tempered people are more likely to be undergoing a turmoil of emotions.
I understand, if this is a part of your personality or zodiac sign, but talking back or yelling at your friends, or family to be specific is just not an excuse to say “I’m like this, I can’t change”.
Their tolerance power keeps deteriorating with time. They can see themselves hurting their loved ones, which ultimately digs a deeper wound in their own hearts because they can’t do anything about it.
So, they end up pushing their closed ones away.
5. Overthinking
We all are over-thinkers, voluntarily keeping ourselves busy in unproductive self-talk and issues.
But at some point of time, we have to stop ourselves from thinking too much about the past or the future because it ultimately ends in self-doubt.
If you are capable of standing your ground for not going out to parties, or not sleeping at night, then you might as well try to overthink productively – think in excess, but only about things that can help you grow.
6. Anxiety
When we read the word ‘Anxiety’, our immediate thought process goes into the time when we first attempted public speaking.
Well, that is nervousness – a sudden rush of emotions when you are extremely scared of the consequences of an event whereas anxiety is the physical trauma one goes through as a result of unwanted stress.
Anxiety is a whole another issue that needs an in-depth understanding of the reasons why a person feels this way. A person turns toxic, and his/her inability to comprehend the situation leads to personal trauma and self-doubt.
7. Criticism
At one point or other in our lives, we all have witnessed ourselves in this scenario, and we have hated it.
Always saying mean things to people who want nothing but good for us is one of the most wicked things that comes out of depression, which brutally damages the respect that they have for themselves, because they fail to find the courage to apologize.
Such people have a million of inner insecurities that make them question every positive thing that happens to them, just to turn it into a bubble.
8. Lack of Confidence
There are some people who allude confidence like it’s no big deal, while others have a little (OK, a lot) of trouble putting their feet on the ground.
And it’s completely fine because we all are getting to know ourselves, which is opposite of what people in depression do.
They have a fixed mindset that nothing can be changed, which is okay because if they could change it, they would. But the point is – their confidence level drops because no one tries to level it up.
9. Always tired
People tend to be exhausted when they’ve been a part of some heavy physical activity or a stressful day at work or school.
However, some people are tired, without any specific reason. Their ultimate excuse for not smiling or talking is “I’m tired, please don’t talk to me right now.”
In reality, they are tired of themselves feeling this void, extremely sick of fading out in the crowd that they avoid interactions altogether.
10. Complex Appetite
Last but not the least, the food intake suggests a lot about how a person is feeling.
Sometimes, a person doesn’t eat much because he/she doesn’t feel like eating, but the fact is that food is our basic need and if someone refuses to eat then there must be a solid reason behind it.
Overeating, not eating anything, sudden lose/gain in weight are the only visible signs that can help us identify if a person is in need of help.
Conclusion
Humans are complicated but they always leave a few hints to see if someone cares enough to pay attention. If you care about the people in your life, please try to observe these signs in them.
If you find anything odd in their behavior, please try having a conversation with them ASAP. Your one act of kindness can save a person from failing in their own eyes.
If you or someone close to you is suffering from depression, or feeling low – Reach out to me at myserenewords@gmail.com.
I’d be happy to help.
Stay Tuned.
My Serene Words 