We all go through periods of sadness, but that’s not the same thing as experiencing depression. Depression is a serious mental health disorder that can start severely disrupting your life if left untreated. Sadness can be and is often a symptom of depression, but here are some other signs to watch out for:
Loss of interest
Pay attention if you find yourself losing interest in activities that you used to enjoy. For example, maybe you’re an avid runner, but lately you’ve noticed that going out for a jog doesn’t give you the same positive feeling that it used to and you just don’t feel like running. This isn’t something you want to ignore. Loss of interest in pleasurable activities can be a symptom of a depressive disorder, so make sure you tell your doctor or mental health provider about these feelings.
Chronic fatigue
Of course, people feel tired for all sorts of different reasons, and exhaustion on its own doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re depressed. However, if you find that there’s been a significant decrease in your energy levels lately, especially if it’s accompanied by feelings of sadness, loss of interest in life, or other feelings like irritability, it may mean that you’re facing depression. Your doctor can examine you to rule out other possible causes for the chronic fatigue.
Worthlessness or hopelessness
If you’re having thoughts like: “Nothing will ever get better,” “I’m no good at anything,” or “I’m useless,” this might be a sign that you’re experiencing symptoms of depression. Nobody feels great about themselves all the time, but depression causes us to think even more negatively of ourselves and get stuck in a loop of critical self-talk. If these thoughts become so intense that you find yourself feeling suicidal or wishing you were dead, please contact emergency services.
Pandora’s House Psychiatry is committed to providing compassionate psychiatric care to the Collin County community. If you or your loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact us today to set up an appointment.