Early warning Signs of Depression
Depression is something that impacts millions of lives each and every day. It not only affects the person who is depressed, but it affects the lives of the people around them. If you know someone that has not been themselves lately, it is possible that they are depressed. Ask yourself the following questions to determine if there should be cause for concern.
Is the individual trying their best to push everyone away? A lot of times when people are depressed they have a hard time connecting with others. If you know someone that is normally sociable and all of a sudden they are more reserved, you should question them about why there has been a change. It may be something as simple as needing a little space. You will never know unless you ask.
Have you noticed a change in the way this person sleeps? People who suffer from depression often have severe changes in the way they sleep. For some people, sleeping many more hours becomes the norm, but for others, tossing and turning all night is the best they can do. Everyone has bad nights, but if this person is having sleep trouble more often than not, you should talk to them about it.
Does it seem as if this person is eating much more or much less than usual? Changes in the way someone eats is a good sign that they may be having a depressive episode. While it is not unheard of to pig out here and there, if you see someone eating much more than they normally would for many consecutive days, there may be a big problem. Also, if someone complains of not being hungry all of the time, that is warning signs of depression as well.
How to Identify Signs of Depression
Does the person make bad remarks about the conditions of their lives on a regular basis? Many factors in life can cause a person to dislike the way their lives are going. Most people chalk it up to a bad break and move on with their lives, but others wallow in the depression. If someone you know is trash-talking themselves all of the time, that is definitely signs of depression. Have you noticed any injuries on the person that seem like they are self-inflicted? Many people who become depressed have a hard time finding a way to channel their emotions into something positive. They use self-harm as an outlet for expressing their feelings. This can be very dangerous, so make sure you speak with them and alert someone else if they refuse to stop this behavior.
It is very important that you learn how to identify signs of depression. Since this is a problem that plagues many people, you can be the key to someone getting all of the help they need. Maybe the person you are worried about is perfectly fine and they are just going through something minor. If so, you can talk to them and rule out anything more serious being the culprit.