If you experience at least one of the following 9 signs, you may be suffering from severe depression, according to suggestions from psychology experts on the Psych2Go channel.
1. You feel sad, hopeless, and distressed
Do you feel like your emotions are always in an extremely heavy state? Persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness can make you easily triggered and hard to control, which will affect your ability to concentrate and complete tasks. These feelings can make you emotionally drained and negatively impact your daily functioning. In some cases, you may even feel that life is no longer meaningful and not worth living, which needs to be treated as an emergency situation.
2. You find it difficult to take care of yourself
When you’re depressed, self-care can feel like an overwhelming task. Simple tasks like showering, shaving, or doing laundry can become very difficult. Your eating habits may also change drastically, from not wanting to eat to eating too much or the opposite. These neglectful habits can lead to other problems, worsening your mental and physical health.
3. You lose interest in your favorite activities
One sign of depression is losing interest in hobbies or activities you once loved. This may be due to the lack of energy and fatigue you’re experiencing. The negative emotions you’re feeling can drain you emotionally, leaving you no longer interested in things that once brought you joy.
4. You are overwhelmed with negative thoughts
Do you feel dread that something bad will happen to you? Do you believe you lack value or that you’re disliked by those around you? These negative thoughts can be burdensome, painful, and uncomfortable to the point that some people turn to substances to numb the pain. These thoughts are often tied to feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and distress, making it difficult to function normally.
5. You feel empty and alone
Feelings of loneliness and isolation are a hallmark of depression. Do you feel like no one can understand what you’re going through? These emotions can lead you to isolate yourself from others, whether intentionally or not, which further exacerbates feelings of loneliness.
6. You feel drained
Depression doesn’t only affect you emotionally; it also leaves you physically exhausted. Do you feel sleepy all the time and spend more time in bed than before? Depression can make even the smallest tasks seem difficult. This feeling of exhaustion can affect your ability to focus and may impact your work or school life. It can also affect your social life as you find it harder to keep up with the energy of your family and friends.
7. You experience major mood swings
Do you find your mood fluctuating suddenly from happiness to extreme sadness or anger for no clear reason? These drastic mood swings can make you say or do things you didn’t intend and overreact to minor events. It’s a cause for concern if you often lash out at friends for no reason or feel upset over trivial matters.
8. You experience psychotic symptoms
Do you find it hard to distinguish between what is real and what is not? While rare, psychosis can be a symptom of severe depression. Some may experience hallucinations or false beliefs, while others may feel as though they are being punished for something. If you experience these symptoms, it’s crucial to get a diagnosis promptly, as they could indicate a different disorder.
9. You think about death
Suicidal thoughts are a dark aspect of depression. Those experiencing depression may feel like there’s no reason to continue living and that the world would be better off without them.
If you’re having suicidal thoughts, this is an emergency situation and should be addressed immediately.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or feels hopeless, please seek help immediately. There are hotlines and mental health services available to assist.
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