Most people know the
typical signs of depression. They know that depression leads to hopeless, lack
of energy, lack of interest in doing the things we once loved to do, shutting
ourselves off from the world, feeling gloomy all the time and sometimes getting
suicidal thoughts. However there are some signs that are surprising and not
usually associated with depression; yet they are.
Reckless shopping
For some people impulse
shopping in retail stores and on the internet can bring instant relief. Retail
therapy can bring momentary joy and a boosted self esteem. However the
temporary joy goes away and the old feelings of depression come back. Only now
there is the added anxiety of paying the bills if the items were charged or
finding that breaking the budget causes great anxiety and unneeded worry.
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| signs of depression |
Source: HEALTH
AND WELLNESS BLOG INDIA
Drinking
Excessive drinking can
also provide a temporary feeling of joy “self medicating” but in the long run
it is not an effective way to handle depression. Alcohol is a depressant and
some people become even more moody and depressed when they are drinking.
Drowning out your sorrows doesn’t work for very long.
“Being depressed
doubles your risk of smoking. Heavy smoking – more than a pack a day – and
having a cigarette within 5 minutes of waking are common habits among smokers
who are depressed, according to the CDC. While depressed smokers are less
likely to quit; they can. Quitting programs that use techniques similar to
those used to treat depression, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or
antidepressant medications, seem to help.”
Shoplifting
Apparently a third of
people who suffer from depression turn to shoplifting. The reason for
shoplifting in these cases are not necessarily the items lifted, but the thrill
of shoplifting and the power or feeling of importance in getting away with it.
This is the real joy in this reckless behavior.
Gambling
Gambling too can provide a
great rush of adrenaline. However, that quickly wears off and when depressed
people gamble excessively they become even more depressed when they realize how
much they have lost.
Faulty memory
Being forgetful is not
always age related, nor is it necessarily a symptom of alzheimer disease. It
can be related to depression. Depression and stress can elevate the production
of cortisol which can shrink the brain and affect our memory and our ability to
learn. Depression linked memory loss worsens as we get older. Treating the
depression can improve the memory.
Internet
One would not think that
using the internet in this day and age would not be a sign of depression, but
excessive internet use is. Spending all your time in virtual reality means that
you are cutting off your real time social life. Like alcohol, excessive
internet use is a form of drowning out your sorrows. Studies have shown that
depressed people spend lots of time on games, social sites, or pornographic
sites.
Obesity or binge
eating
“A 2010 study from the
University of Alabama found that young adults who report being depressed tended
to gain weight more around their waist -- a risk for heart disease. Other
studies have linked depression with binge eating, particularly in middle-age
people. Treating depression can help treat these problems.”
Not taking care of
yourself
The signs of depression
show through when the behavior is obvious such not taking a bath or shower when
needed, not brushing you hair, or wearing clean clothes. However, not taking
care of yourself can point to subtle behaviors such as not buckling your seat
belt, reckless driving, not making or missing medical appointments, or letting
the household chores pile up.
Back pain
Who would think that back
pain can be associated with depression. Back pain can put you at risk for
depression and now studies are showing that people who are depressed were
depressed before the back pain kicked in. Unfortunately, the depression is
often ignored or goes undetected because the doctor’s are concentrating on the
physical reasons for back pain.
Reckless sexual
behavior
One
would normally associate depression with a lower sex drive. Yet, the opposite
can also be true. “Some people use sex to cope with depression or stress. Increased
promiscuity, infidelity, sexual obsession, and high-risk behavior such as
unsafe sex can all be signs of depression. And they can have serious, negative
effects on health and in your personal life.”
Extreme Moods
Depressed people often
have flat emotions. They appear to be numb or emotionless. However the
depression can create extreme or exaggerated emotions and feelings of
hopelessness, worry, sadness or fear. Oftentime the exaggerated moods will be a
strong indicator that depression has set in.
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| Mild Depression |
Identifying the symptoms
can facilitate treatment and public awareness about depression and its toll on
humanity.
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