Depression – Can we talk about this? Please!
While most of us battle feelings of depression and sadness on a regular basis, it can be difficult to tell the difference between garden variety depression and a more serious instance. However, when these feelings persist for days, weeks, months or even years, it is time to seek assistance.
Once your depression has begun to interfere with your ability to function in your daily existence, it is time to receive a professional assessment. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common effects associated with depression.
Depression Symptoms and Effects:
If you are the type of person who is depressed more often than not and you are experiencing depression as soon as you wake up in the morning, this is a sure sign that you need to seek help.
Fatigue is another common effect of depression and when you are feeling a loss of energy throughout the day, this is another warning sign. When we start to feel as if we are worthless or we begin to feel unwarranted pangs of guilt, this contributes to the onset of depression related fatigue.
Concentration and decisiveness also fall by the wayside when a person is experiencing depression and if you are starting to lose interest in all of the activities that you used to care about, this is a common effect.
Sleeping habits are also altered significantly. Those who are going through a bout of severe depression often find themselves sleeping excessively or not sleeping enough. Any disruption to your normal sleeping patterns is typically caused by some form of depression.
Rapid weight losses and weight gains can also be caused by depression, as many seek solace in food or lose their appetite completely. Dramatic gains and losses have the ability to cause other significant health related issues, which is why depression is a concern that needs to be addressed immediately.
Recurring thoughts of dying or committing suicide are another symptom, even the thoughts involving death are more related to your fear of dying than your desire to perish. These feelings are also typically linked to thoughts of restlessness and a sense that you are being slowed down.
Brooke Shields’ Battle with Depression:
Brooke Shields is living proof that depression can strike any of us, at any time. The statuesque beauty who seemed to have the perfect life sent shock waves through Hollywood when she opened up and admitted to her struggles with postpartum depression. While celebrities like Tom Cruise felt the need to throw pointed barbs at Shields, there were many who took solace in the fact that one of the beautiful people experienced many of the same struggles that they did.
What Do I Do Next?
If you find yourself experiencing any of the aforementioned depression effects, it is time to contact a trained professional, so that they can provide you with the assistance that you need.
