Inside the Mind of Someone Dealing with Depression
Dealing with Depression
While each person has their own unique experience with their mental health-related issues, when you go inside the mind of someone dealing with depression, some commonalities exist across the board. It is important to both identify and understand what depressive episodes can look like for those battling major depressive disorder, what it is like to go inside the mind of someone dealing with depression, and how to give or get help.
SYMPTOMS OF A DEPRESSIVE EPISODE
Depression does not look any single way when you go inside the mind of someone dealing with depression often experience a wide range of symptoms as they dip in and out of episodes. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of a depressive episode are:
Feeling Sad or Down
Difficulty Staying Focused
Feeling Foggy or Disoriented
Feeling Anxious
Irregular Sleep Patterns
Lack of Interest
Fatigue
Irregular Eating Patterns
Suicidal Thoughts
Feeling Lost, Hopeless, Directionless
GO INSIDE THE MIND OF SOMEONE DEALING WITH DEPRESSION:
The signs and symptoms listed above are some of the most common experiences for someone facing a depressive episode, but the list does not stop there. Someone dealing with depression might encounter variations of these signs that manifest themselves physically and emotionally.
For example, someone dealing with depression, lacking interest in things that used to excite them could manifest itself as no longer engaging in hobbies or talents, but it could also present itself in emotional connections. One could feel disinterested in friends, family, or loved ones that you used to feel a strong emotional connection to. A physical manifestation of this symptom might involve a low sex drive, where one feels disinterested in sex/intimacy toward their partner or overall.
When someone is dealing with depression, one of the most common misconceptions is that the person is riddled with dark thoughts and sadness. While someone managing major depressive disorder can feel this way, the most common symptoms of depression relate to feeling tired, disinterested, overwhelmed, and directionless toward the future.
WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION?
Depression is an increasingly complex mental health issue that is not limited to one cause or reason. Many different factors influence one’s tendency or susceptibility toward Major Depressive Disorder. The most common reason associated with depression is that there is a chemical imbalance when you go inside the mind of someone dealing with depression. Meaning, an individual lacks a certain chemical or maybe has too much of one, influencing their mood, thoughts, and experiences.
While this is true to a degree, it is extremely difficult to detail the exact cause of depressive disorders. Each individual is different in terms of what causes their depression as well as their predispositions toward experiencing an episode. So much is still unknown about how the brain functions and what happens when you go inside the mind of someone dealing with depression. What we do know is that certain external and internal influences catalyze one’s chance of experiencing depression. Some of the most common reasons someone might experience depression are genetic predisposition or navigating a major life event like the loss of a loved one.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I THINK I HAVE DEPRESSION OR SOMEONE I KNOW DOES?
The most important thing to remember if you think you or someone you know could have depression is that it can feel extremely isolating, or that you have to figure everything out by yourself. Depending on the severity, when you go inside the mind of someone dealing with depression, feelings of hopelessness and fear can enforce isolating actions like cutting off communication from friends and family. The truth is, no one should have to go through a depressive episode by themselves.
If you or a loved one could be experiencing a depressive episode, it is important to consult with a mental health professional. With the help of a therapist, you or your loved one can start to work constructively on how to manage symptoms go inside the mind of someone dealing with depression to get it under control.