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Diagnosis rates of mental health issues, such as depression have increased over recent years. 3 in every 100 people in fact experience the symptoms of depression, alone in England, never mind on a global scale.
Down to stigmatisation, many individuals have delayed the acknowledgement of depression, down to increased life pressures, many individuals have developed cognitive weaknesses, and down to an increase in drug and alcohol abuse rates, many individuals have fallen victim to addiction-related issues.
However, no matter the causation of depression, it should be seen as a serious, potentially life-changing condition, down to the consequences that it carries. The idea of being depressed is heavily thrown around, as soon as a negative or low moment is experienced or witnessed.
While the normalisation of such mood disorders has increased, we should however consider the results of enabled depression, we should look out for the signs and symptoms, and we should take diagnoses seriously.
Down to the normalisation of depression, unfortunately, many believe that it should be worked through alone, through everyday life changes.
While change can benefit the symptoms of depression, professional intervention in most cases is required, to achieve stabilisation. With that being said, if you’re feeling low or in a depressive state, it is important to gain some perspective and understand your feelings.
If you’re wondering ‘how do I know if I am depressed?’, here’s how, along with available support you can source for depression here at Rehab Clinics Group.
Signs and symptoms of depression
As more individuals feel low, as more individuals express their emotions, and as more individuals aim to speak out through the stigma of mental health, it can be difficult to fully gauge the recognition of clinical depression.
Of course, as any condition, signs and symptoms vary, all depending on personal experiences and responses. Yet there are common signs and symptoms of depression which you can consider if you are questioning ‘how do I know if I am depressed?’
Signs and symptoms of depression include:
- Feeling low on a continuous basis
- Extreme emotions, resembling a rollercoaster
- Difficulty sleeping, resembling insomnia
- A change in appetite, where you’re either under-eating or binging
- Irritability
- The desire to keep yourself to yourself
- A general feeling of numbness
- Low enjoyment from usual hobbies, interactions or responsibilities
- Disinterest in your appearance, health and development
- The use of coping strategies as a distraction or feel-good feeling
- Physical symptoms of fatigue, of low energy and of general sickness
- Psychological symptoms of confusion, of a lack of concentration and of anxiety
Some of the above may resonate with you, while others may not, questioning where you stand with depression. If you are experiencing social, emotional or psychological change, it’s time to speak out and truly consider whether you’re depressed or whether you’re experiencing further health problems.
How do I know if I am depressed?
Knowing for definite if you’re depressed, independently, can be challenging, as the above signs and symptoms can also mirror alternative conditions or experiences. Through this, if you are experiencing a change in behaviour, a change in outlook, a change in health and a change in emotions, it is recommended that you consider a degree of support, whether on a personal or professional basis.
Depression and anxiety are harder to recognise down to their complex and varying development phases. Mental health issues can also be challenging to pinpoint through denial, through hiding away from loved ones, and through brushing symptoms of depression under the carpet.
Many individuals, suffering from depression will justify their feelings, will turn to short-term coping strategies, which can also amount to further problems, and will also hope that depressive symptoms will suppress by themselves. Unfortunately, while at the moment, feeling depressed may subsidise, intervention and therapy will be required, usually to work through the causations of depression.
Causations of depression
Causations of depression develop on a personal basis, which can be controlled by environmental, social, emotional and biological pressures.
For example, stressful experiences can result in the symptoms of depression, genetical weaknesses can increase the organic susceptibility of mental health issues, and certain environments, promoting the likes of drug and alcohol abuse can increase the vulnerability of depression.
As causations can amount from either external or internal triggers, again, depression is a complex condition which should be dealt with professionally. Without intervention, it can be difficult to recognise triggers, create positive coping strategies, and work through the exposure of triggers for the long-term.
If you’ve asked, ‘how do I know if I am depressed?’, and believe that you are, it’s important to consider your potential causation, and how with support, you can work through this difficult yet changeable time.
How to deal with depression
As there are different types of depression, as there are different severities, and as there are different causations, dealing with depression should be aimed for through professional support services. While this may seem daunting, to open up about your feelings and potentially receive a diagnosis of depression, it is very important, as independently, your feelings will remain.
Through professional intervention, mental health support services will be accessible, which we offer through our clinics here at Rehab Clinics Group. Offering a wide range of therapy services, guidance around lifestyle choices and self-care, and educational sessions within the mental health realm, we can assist you or a loved one through depression.
Unfortunately, depression will not go away by simply overpowering your feelings or emotions with unhealthy coping strategies, such as drugs or alcohol. It will not subsidise by itself, no matter how much you may want it to. Completing therapy will be necessary to unlock your causation and help you consider your triggers.
You shouldn’t feel ashamed of feeling depressed. It is a brain condition which unfortunately affects more people than you’d ever expect, down to trauma, stress, pre-existing mental health issues and substance abuse. No matter the causation of your depression, it can become manageable and it can be controlled to offer a quality life.
For confidential support, contact our team today or consider reaching out to a dedicated helpline if you’re looking for initial guidance around depression.
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