6 Signs of Depression

6 Signs of Depression

Depression is a silent disorder. It is not a simple “I am sad” feeling but is the feeling of extreme sadness which affects much on what we feel, think, act and handle daily activities.

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In a report by the World Health Organization, suicide is the second leading cause of death globally. Among ASEAN-member countries, the Philippines has the lowest reported suicide rate but has the highest incidence of depression in Southeast Asia in 2011. The Philippine Psychiatric Association (PPA) reported that the depression and suicide issues among Filipinos should be addressed fast.

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Depression is a serious mental health case which can not only affect one person but a whole community as well. People are often not open  Here are signs that your loved one may be suffering from depression.

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• Unexplained aches and pain all over the body. It is usual for the body to feel pain when you suffer from depression. Depression can greatly affect the body causing it to suffer from unexplainable pains in different parts of the body. This body pain includes headaches, back pains, muscle and joint pain, and chest pain. Depression adds up discomfort to the body.

• Isolation. Social withdrawal or isolation is one of the most obvious signs of depression. When one is depressed, they see that pulling away or shutting down from others is a way to help in coping up with depression. The truth is, social isolation worsens the depression case. Contact with others can help lessen it.

• Poor hygiene. This symptom exhibits self-neglect which is the inability to attend to one’s personal needs. Poor hygiene not only means depression but also psychotic disorders such as dementia.

• Change of eating habits. People suffering from depression may tend to over eat or not eat at all. Loss or increase of appetite can be early signs of depression. Overeating and not eating can be a way of people to cope up with difficult situations or feelings. Depressed people seek comfort in food rather than comfort in social contact. That is why gaining and losing weight is also a sign of depression.

• Inability to concentrate. Research proves that the ability to take in information quickly and efficiently is impaired in depressed individuals. This is seen mostly when an individual fails to finish or perform a given task. It can also lead to an individual to create mistakes while doing these assigned works. This impairment can range from mild to severe.

• Fatigue. Depressed people may develop chronic fatigue syndrome which results to insomnia or sleep apnea. Both this condition makes fatigue worse because it prevents people from getting a good night’s sleep.
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Depression can occur to anyone – even to your family or friends. Never underestimate depression because it is a serious condition. One way to help a loved one going through depression is always assuring that he/she is never alone. Aside from medical assistance, social contact is also a way to lessen the problem.

By Patricia Aleckzandra |