Popular culture depicts depression as someone who is isolated, crying, and disheveled looking. Yet this is just one of many ways people may experience depression. The woman behind you in the grocery store checkout line with a great outfit, perfect hair, and a lipstick smile may also be experiencing depression. She just experiences it with symptoms of insomnia, self loathing, guilt, and shame that aren’t visible when you see her trying hard to hide all her perceived failings. The man in front of you in line may also be depressed as he stares absently at checkout clerk, slowly processing her directions to swipe his card and then irritably scolding the bagger who didn’t organize his items as he wished. He experiences depression with symptoms of cognitive slowing, irritability, and anger.
The symptoms of depression are so varied that each person experiences his or her own unique version of it. No one person’s suffering is easier or worse than the other’s. They’re just different.
Our assumptions about what depression LOOKS LIKE often causes us to dismiss serious signs of mood disturbance and results in putting off seeking care. We know that interventions for depression are more effective the earlier treatment begins.
Symptoms of Depression
- depressed or low mood
- feeling sad or empty
- tearfulness
- irritability
- loss of pleasure
- low motivation
- weight loss
- insomnia
- sleeping too much
- restlessness, agitated
- slowed down
- fatigue
- physical pain
- worthlessness
- excessive guilt
- difficulty concentrating
- indecisiveness
- isolation
- thoughts of death
- suicidal thoughts
Understanding the scope of depression is important to begin making the changes needed to recover. Depression is not a sign of weakness or personal failing. Depression is a painful form of suffering that impacts the individual and everyone who cares about him/her.
If you or someone you love has experienced 5 or more of these symptoms for greater than 2 weeks, this may indicate an episode of depressive disorder. Depression can significantly impact a person’s functioning at work, home, in relationships, and health. Professional mental health care is key to feeling better. This is not an illness you can “snap out of” or “power through.” Recovery is possible with quality treatment.
Psychotherapy to treat depression includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy. During psychotherapy there is also a focus on building self-care activities known to boost mood such as exercise, nutritional balance, and social support building. Antidepressant medications can also be helpful in managing the symptoms of depression. Most people benefit from a combination of psychotherapy and medications. The benefits of psychotherapy may endure long after therapy ends and can prevent a recurrence of symptoms down the road.
Written by Suzanne J. Smith, Ph.D. for the Lakefront Psychology Blog. If you are interested in reading more original articles about mental health, postpartum challenges, wellness, relationships, and parenting, subscribe using the link below. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with Dr. Smith, please call 216-870-9816.