Lots of depressed people masquerade as happy people with happy lives. And many of those people don’t even know they’re depressed. Plus, some of them are afraid to admit it due to pride or a fear of the stigma.
The thing is that depression is extremely common. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 350 million people in the world are affected by depression. In fact, it’s the leading cause of disability worldwide. And depression strikes more women than men.
The question is: Are you depressed? Check out these six surprising signs of depression.
You ache.
According to Prevention, researchers say that roughly three-quarters of those who are struggling with depression also struggle with chronic pain. This is because depression and pain have something in common: space. They use the same biological pathways and neurotransmitters.
So what are some common physical symptoms of depression? According to Web MD, those with depression often experience headaches. Plus, back pain, muscle aches and joint pain may be present. Depression also can cause stomach upset or constipation and even chest pain.
You’re slower than usual.
According to an OWN contribution to the Huffington Post, you may not be as quite as spry in the workplace if you’re depressed. Plus, routine work tasks might seem tougher than usual, and you may just move slower in general.
Healthy Place equates this to a type of “brain fog.” In the wake of depression, we may speak slower and struggle to understand information that we’re given. This can interfere with normal function.
Colors aren’t as vivid as they once were.
According to Psych Central, there may be truth to the belief that a depressed world looks gray and bland. German researchers found that depressed patients experienced a lesser degree of sensitivity to contrast in the retina, which shows that changes do occur with depression.
Generally speaking, this can make the world look less vivid. And when depression lifts, patients are shocked as to how different things appear. "Most people state how the quality of colors or music change for them after treatment," Gabriela Cora, M.D., managing partner of the Florida Neuroscience Center and a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, tells Everyday Health. "They'll say, 'Is this a new picture in your office? I love the bright colors!' or 'I love music again. I can appreciate the beauty of it!'"
You feel nothing.
Most people have ambitions and goals in life. They can be as simple as getting up to start the day or as complex as the desire to change careers. But people who are depressed lose this zest.
"Most of us have motivations that get us out of bed in the morning, whether it's work, exercise, socializing or making breakfast," Simon Rego, Psy.D., associate professor of clinical psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and director of psychology training at Montefiore Medical Center, tells Prevention. "But for people who are depressed, those pulls dry up.” As a result, life is greeted with a “meh” attitude.
Insomnia has become an unwelcome reality.
When it comes to depression, we automatically assume that those affected sleep too much. But this isn’t always true.
According to Web MD, up to 80 percent of depressed people struggle to fall and stay asleep. And people with recurrent insomnia have a three times greater chance of becoming depressed.
Plus, anxiety may be present. “Chronic sleep loss can lead to a loss of pleasure in life, one of the hallmarks of depression,” Stanford University research psychologist Tracy Kuo, Ph.D., tells Web MD. “When people can’t sleep, they often become anxious about not sleeping. Anxiety increases the potential for becoming depressed.”
That said, there is truth to the belief that depressed people may sleep a lot as well. When you’re depressed, you often don’t feel like getting out of bed. As a result, you may lay in bed for hours watching TV or napping. Productivity gives way to hopelessness and despair.
You look like a train wreck.
Lack of ambition among depressed people can translate to little interest in self-care. In short, you just might not care what you look like.
This can begin with a lack of interest in common hygiene. You might shower less and avoid your once-cherished beauty regimen. Plus, your hair may look like a rat’s nest. In other words, cute braids and fun hair pieces will be replaced by an all-around disheveled look.
Further, you may stop brushing and flossing on a regular basis. According to Prevention, one survey of more than 10,000 people found a link between oral health and depression. In fact, 61 percent of people who didn’t take care of oral health were depressed.
If you think you or someone you love may be depressed, look for common symptoms as well. According to Web MD, it can start with feelings of sadness or emptiness. You may feel hopeless and as if you lack worth. Plus, things that you regularly enjoy may seem pointless.
Further, look for irritability. If little things seem to bother you on a regular basis, this can be a sign. Take note of seemingly normal situations that cause anxiety and frustration. And look for changes in appetite. If you’re pigging out often with little fear of gaining weight, this might mean you’re depressed. But the opposite can be true, with a lack of appetite also pointing to depression.
And if you are depressed, talk to a licensed mental health professional as soon as possible. It is possible to overcome depression with therapy or medication. Depression is nothing to be ashamed of. You can and will get better.
P.S. If someone you know is struggling with depression and you suspect that they may be considering suicide, get help immediately. Don’t wait until it’s too late.