Depression is, sadly, rather a common problem in the modern world, with a staggering number of people suffering from it at some point during their lives. Fortunately, in recent years, depression has been the subject of much discussion, making awareness at an all time high.
Despite that, it can still be difficult to recognise in a friend or family member, and even if you do suspect they're depressed, it's tough to know what you can do to help. Here are some of the things to look out for. If you recognise some of these in someone you care about, carefully try to talk to them about your concerns, and gently encourage them to see a doctor or psychologist for help. Try to stay positive with them and let them know you'll support them.
Reclusiveness
A person with depression might gradually withdraw from their social life and, sadly, this sign often goes unnoticed by their circle of friends. It can be easy to justify this reclusiveness, accepting whatever excuses the person gives, but it can be a serious concern, especially if it's accompanied by other depressive symptoms and if it marks a significant change in behaviour.
Abnormal sleeping
Some people with depression find it difficult to sleep, appearing tired all the time because they're deprived of rest; others oversleep, having trouble getting out of bed and not wanting to wake up. Others still might exhibit different abnormal sleeping behaviour from one day to the next.
Changes in appetite
As with sleeping, eating habits can vary with depression. Some sufferers will lose their appetite and have a drastic drop in food consumption, while others may overeat. It can be difficult to spot this unless you live with the person in question, but look out for rapid weight changes.
Low concentration
Depression can cause memory problems and make it difficult to concentrate on things. It can be hard to notice this in other people, but look out for someone finding conversations difficult to follow or forgetting simple things.
Poor personal hygiene
People with depression can sometimes stop caring about their appearance, neglecting things like regular washing, brushing their teeth, or choosing different clothes each day. If you visit them at home, you might also find that they don't bother to get dressed, staying in pyjamas instead.
Loss of interest in hobbies
Everyone has a few things that interest them or activities they like to do regularly. Depression can cause people to lose interest in their passions, which is often something that friends and family notice quickly. Linking it to depression, however, isn't always automatic, but it's a classic sign that someone is unwell.
Share10 July 2017
Thanks for visiting my health blog! My name's Caroline. A few years ago, I started to notice changes in my appearance. My hair was dull, my eyes were circled with dark rings, and my skin was looking like it used to when I was a teenager. When cosmetic treatments didn't fix things, I realised the problem wasn't on the outside of my body—it was on the inside! That's when I started researching how to keep myself healthy. To my surprise, improving my internal health really worked. A few years down the line, I feel and look better than ever, and I'm ready to share what I've learned with all of you.