10 WAYS TO KNOW WHEN YOU ARE GETTING DEPRESSED.
Welcome to Saturday
the 21st of January and the 21st Day of 2023. Today we are discussing the 10 WAYS TO KNOW WHEN YOU ARE GETTING DEPRESSED.
Did you know that Depression is a leading cause of disability among women in Africa? Some factors that cause depression, according to the SAGE Study are ageing, living without a partner, never having been to school, living in an urban setting, migration, not currently working, moderate to very bad general self-reported health, lower quality of life and harmful use of alcohol.
Feeling down from time to time is a normal part of life, but when emotions such as hopelessness and despair take hold and just won’t go away, you may have depression. More than just sadness in response to life’s struggles and setbacks, depression changes how you think, feel, and function in daily activities. It can interfere with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and enjoy life. Just trying to get through the day can be overwhelming.
Even though depression varies from person to person, below are 10 common ways to detect if you are feeling depressed so you can start taking control of your life (source: helpguige.org)
1. FEELINGS OF HELPLESSNESS & HOPELESSNESS. A bleak outlook, nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation.
2. LOSS OF INTEREST IN DAILY ACTIVITIES. You don’t care anymore about former hobbies, pastimes, social activities, or sex. You’ve lost your ability to feel joy and pleasure.
3. APPETITE OR WEIGHT CHANGES. Significant weight loss or weight gain—a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month.
4. SLEEP CHANGES. Either insomnia, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping.
5. ANGER OR IRRITABILITY. Feeling agitated, restless, or even violent. Your tolerance level is low, your temper short, and everything and everyone gets on your nerves.
6. LOSS OF ENERGY. Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. Your whole body may feel heavy, and even small tasks are exhausting or take longer to complete.
7. SELF-LOATHING. Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. You harshly criticize yourself for perceived faults and mistakes.
8. RECKLESS BEHAVIOUR. You engage in escapist behavior such as substance abuse, compulsive gambling, reckless driving, or dangerous sports.
9. CONCENTRATION PROBLEMS. Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.
10. UNEXPLAINED ACHES & PAINS. An increase in physical complaints such as headaches, back pain, aching muscles, and stomach pain.
If you are constantly feeling any of the above symptoms, speak to a therapist today and surround yourself happy people who excite and challenge you to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
