COULD IT BE MORE THAN JUST A BAD DAY?
YOU'RE OVER OR UNDER-SLEEPING.
On the other hand, oversleeping or feeling excessively tired despite getting enough sleep can also indicate hypersomnia, another sign of depression. Paying attention to your sleep habits and any significant changes can be a valuable clue.
YOUR ENERGY IS LOW.
Do you feel like you’re dragging yourself through the day? Maybe those simple tasks that used to be a breeze now feel like tasks you’d rather avoid? It could be a sign of depression. This sneaky condition drains our energy levels and blurs the line between being physically tired and feeling persistently drained.
Plus, we mentioned how it messes with your sleep patterns, which can affect mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Suddenly, things that you used to enjoy can seem like total buzzkills. While we all have days when we feel tired, depression-related fatigue is a different animal entirely. So if you’re feeling unmotivated, consistently fatigued, or unable to find joy in activities you once found fun, it may be time to talk to someone.
YOU'RE STRUGGLING TO KEEP UP... WITH THE BASICS.
Depression can zap your energy and motivation, making it difficult to keep up with basic tasks and personal hygiene. If the schedule you used to maintain without a second thought starts to feel impossible, it may be time to take a little personal inventory. Or if you’re skipping things like brushing your teeth, showering, or fixing your hair, depression may be settling in for a visit.
“Depression can seriously mess with your concentration and focus, making even the simplest tasks seem impossible to complete,”
said Claudette Banda, PMHNP.
“This often results in a noticeable drop in productivity at work or school, leaving you frustrated and defeated.”
Remember, a slip in hygiene or function is not a reflection of your character or worth! Rather, it’s a symptom of depression affecting your behaviors and daily functioning.
YOU'VE BEEN SOCIALLY ISOLATING.
When depression hits, you might feel like you can’t handle being around other people. Socializing can feel like a burden, so you cancel plans, skip out on social events, and start avoiding your friends and family. But here’s the thing: isolating yourself can make your depression even worse.
If you’re noticing a big dip in your social life or going out of your way to avoid being around others, that’s a sign that you might be dealing with depression.
YOU'RE MORE ANXIOUS AND IRRITABLE LATELY.
Have you been feeling more anxious lately or overly frustrated with small things? Well, it’s not uncommon for anxiety and depression to tag-team or for depression to show up as aggravation. But don’t worry; discussing your experiences with a healthcare professional is crucial. Since the symptoms overlap, they can help you figure out whether it’s depression, anxiety, or both and then provide the right kind of support.
