On the popular psychology YouTube channel Psych2Go, with nearly 13 million subscribers, experts highlight 6 signs that may indicate you are experiencing severe depression.
Here’s a summary of the video content:
Did you know that depression can occur at varying levels of severity, from mild to moderate to severe? In this video, we focus specifically on the signs and symptoms of severe depression.
As always, we want to remind you that this content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or invalidate personal experiences not included in the list. If you believe you are suffering from severe depression, we encourage you to seek help from a mental health professional.
With that said, here are 6 signs of severe depression:
1. Daily stomach pain
Do you wake up most days with a sinking feeling in your stomach? Is the pain so intense that it makes it hard to function? Many conditions can cause this, but severe depression could be the culprit. According to Healthline, research shows that depression has strong links to inflammation in the digestive system. This means that severe depression not only makes you more prone to stomach cramps and nausea but can also lead to bloating and other digestive issues. If you experience this, we encourage you to seek medical help to relieve the pain.
2. Your life feels like it’s on pause
Do you struggle to get things done throughout the day? Not just work, but also tasks like brushing your teeth or taking a shower? While some may label this as laziness, it could actually be a sign of severe depression. Healthline explains that fatigue is a common symptom of severe depression, and it can feel like no amount of sleep ever restores your energy. Your worth is not defined by how much you accomplish each day. Even if all you manage to do is take out the trash and feed the dog, you are still moving forward at your own pace.
3. Apathy towards your goals
Are you someone who usually dreams big? Have those dreams seemed less appealing or more out of reach recently? Apathy is a symptom of severe depression that’s often overlooked because it can present as contentment. However, when indifference becomes a lack of interest in goals that once meant a lot to you, it could be something worth paying attention to as it’s a sign of severe depression.
4. Mental breakdowns
Do you find yourself overreacting to things that would typically be only mildly annoying? Are you prone to mental breakdowns now and then? According to the New Dimensions Day Treatment Center, a mental breakdown is a combination of severe depression and anxiety, which can manifest in various ways. These may include panic attacks, rumination, feelings of helplessness, and more. If you find yourself in the middle of a mental breakdown, remember you are not alone. Though it may feel overwhelming, know that help is available, and you are capable of getting through this.
5. Visible behavioral symptoms
Have your friends mentioned that you don’t seem like yourself lately? One characteristic of severe depression is that many behavioral symptoms are noticeable by others. In fact, these symptoms may indicate a milder form of depression, but their impact on your life can make the depression more severe. These symptoms can include fatigue, irritability, anger, substance abuse, reckless behavior, and more. However, this is not a hard and fast rule. All experiences of depression are valid, and severity is not solely based on how others perceive you. Even if no one notices, you could still be silently suffering from severe depression, and we don’t want to invalidate your experience.
6. Hallucinations or delusions
Do you experience out-of-body experiences, such as hallucinations or delusions, due to your depression? This is known as depressive psychosis, which can sometimes result from major depression. Examples include hallucinations, paranoia, or delusions that interfere with your daily life. If you experience psychosis, know that help is available, and seeking assistance is encouraged, as altered perceptions of reality can negatively affect your wellbeing.
We hope this video helps you identify some signs of severe depression. Can you relate to any of the signs mentioned in the video? If so, remember that you are not alone. Help is available, and we encourage you to seek professional help to support your recovery process.
Watch the full video HERE.
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