Navigating Depression: Recognizing Signs and Seeking Support

ADD HYPERLINK

Do you feel sad for a prolonged period of time? Do you feel down without any reason? Do you feel
like not doing something that used to interest you? Do you feel like not going out with friends often
and wondered what is actually happening?

While feeling sad or not wanting to go out is very common, it becomes a concern when it is
prolonged and interferes with our everyday activities. Feeling sad is often termed as being
“depressed”. However, being sad does not always means depression. The overuse of the term today
on social media and other platforms has diluted the meaning of the term. Depression is a mood
disorder involving feelings of sadness, loss of interest and pleasure in activities for a long period of
time. It goes way beyond regular mood changes or sadness.

With around 280 million people reporting depression, it has become a global concern. Depression
also contributes as a leading cause for suicides. Thus, making recognition of signs and symptoms for
depression all the more necessary for oneself and others. Once recognized seek proper support or
following techniques is the next step. Here, many questions arise like where do I reach out? how do I
reach out? What can I do? Among all this chaos, it is important to know that needing help is ok and
it’s a sign of strength.

Here are few signs to help you better assess any possible symptoms of depression. There are also
some ways to seek support when you feel depressed.

SIGNS
The following are some signs that can be helpful in self-assessing and recognizing depression:

MOOD RELATED SYMPTOMS

Experiencing prolonged sadness, irritability or hopelessness are leading symptoms.

Along with the low mood, lack of interest in things once found enjoyable, recurrent feeling of
worthlessness and guilt and high levels of experiencing anxiety needs to be made note of.

APPETITE AND SLEEP PATTERN

Significant changes in eating patterns or weight due to eating less than usual or increased intake of
junk food.

Any Noticeable Changes or disruption in sleeping or feeling excessively sleepy.

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS

Continuously feeling less energy, fatigue and tired even after adequate rest. The movements become
slow and reflects lack of interest.

Experiencing unexplained headaches, body pain and digestive problems.

COGNITIVE SYMPTOMS

Cognitive functions like concentration, attention, decision making are disrupted.

Suicide ideation or having thoughts about death or worthlessness of life.

BEHAVIORAL SYMPTOMS

Social withdrawal and inability to engage with people – common symptom.

Lack of taking care of oneself – in hygiene or sleep patterns or eating habits.

Talking about suicide or death and any attempted self-harm.

SUPPORT STRATEGIES
After understanding the signs, the next step is to seek support. Not knowing how to reach
out can be challenging however, following are few ways that can help you navigate through
this tough time:
THERAPY

Psychotherapy – talk therapy is one of the most efficient ways to deal with depression. Sharing one’s
thoughts, feelings and emotions with a professional can better organise and structure our thought
pattern and help us delve into the various causes behind it.

Group Therapy or joining human library can help you connect with people experiencing similar
situations, helping you understand that you are not alone and you have support.

Cognitive behavioural therapy – is centric to our thoughts and actions. It emphasises on regulating
negative thoughts and behaviours and gradually develop positive outlook.

A professional can assess you and can provide you with therapy tailor made for your concerns. You
can book a session with a professional at

SELF CARE

OTHER STRATEGIES
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/depression/depression-and-suicide

https://www.verywellmind.com/major-depressive-disorder-symptoms-causes-and-treatment-
5270926
“I feel sad, I think I am depressed” is something that we all might have heard at some point. Be it
conversations or a social media post we are equipped with some knowledge towards depression.

However, the question arises that does being sad means depression? What does “Depression”
actually mean? Many time overuse of What all are the signs or symptoms that can help in better
recognizing our mood patterns? Some techniques or strategies that can be

“I feel depressed” this statement often is exchanged in conversations. However, overuse of the term
has diluted the meaning as it goes way beyond Depression Because of its prolonged nature it impacts
a person’s everyday life like their relationships and social communities through social withdrawal.