There are many symptoms of depression, but most people can recognize the classic signs of depression, which are the inability to get out of bed, a feeling of paralysis of self-worth, constant dread and constant isolation.
But these stereotypical signs hardly paint the full picture of what a disease that affects one in every eight women in America looks like, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. But the World Health Organization claims that about 50 percent of the 300 million people “who suffer from depression” do not take treatment – even in countries with a high standard of living. This could be for many reasons, including the fact that depression can be difficult to recognize.
“People often view depression as a stigma, and even deny that they are depressed,” says Susan Cooperman, a psychologist at New York University. They are used to being aggressively involved in stressful, complex and worrying situations in their lives, and they are very surprised when people tell them that they are depressed.
Therefore, we will tell you some unexpected symptoms of depression in women. Of course you will realize that you have suffered from one of them before, and this is completely normal. So even though you have these symptoms all day, most days, it is best to talk to your doctor to find out if you are depressed.
Symptoms of depression :
- You lose your temper regularly
Don’t stop responding violently to your partner at work or your colleagues, or even your dog? This overt anger or irritability is a symptom seen in more than half of people with severe depression — and it lasts longer, according to a 2013 study published in JAMA Psychiatry. Unusual irritability is also a sign of depression in adults and children, says Cooperman.
- I started getting up very early
Depression can make some women sleep too much. But Cooperman explains that there are many people who are depressed who sleep for fewer hours, and wake up in the early hours of the morning. If you wake up suddenly and constantly at 4 or 5 in the morning and can’t sleep again, you may be suffering from depression.
- Your hobbies are not fun now
This does not mean that if you are bored with knitting for two weeks, you are depressed. But Cooperman says, “One example of this is that you used to love to cook, and it wasn’t fun for you anymore. It is very difficult when you are in this place to get out of depression, because you need to do some fun activities to feel better, but now you have no motivation and no interests. And even if you do it yourself, you won’t have fun either.”
- Addicted to social media
If you become more addicted to Facebook or Instagram, that is, you use them more than usual, this may be one of the signs of depression, as Cooperman explains, and that is what people with depression do to ignore the cause of this depression. “It’s a distraction that benefits your mental state,” Cooperman says. You will feel a surge of adrenalin when you receive a message in it or something like that, which is a kind of treatment similar to self-medication by increasing the adrenaline in your system. This can cause adrenal fatigue and fatigue because you are doing this for long periods of time.”
- Strong pain in your lower back
Research findings from 2015 indicate that depression increases lower back pain. And when depression increases, pain increases. Experts believe that depression makes nerves more sensitive. In this case, if lower back pain is interfering with your lifestyle or getting in the way of what you can do, it can make your depression worse.
- Significant increase in weight
Depression is associated with increased or decreased appetite, says Cooperman: “Some people may lose weight, which they may enjoy at first. But over time, the loss of appetite will leave you with less energy.” Some people will react to this by eating snacks throughout the day, especially foods that are high in sugar and fat. After you eat a snack of potato chips, you will feel bad afterwards, as it reduces your self-esteem because you are subjected to an endless increase in your weight.”
- You suddenly become the most hesitant person in the world
It’s normal to be hesitant even if you’re not depressed, but increased or sudden hesitation is actually a symptom of depression in women, according to research published in the Department of Cognitive Therapy and Research. And researchers said feeling despair or even expecting the worst possible outcome from each option may play a role. What’s more, when a person with depression makes a decision, it will often be bad (eg alcohol, skipping work, risky sex).
How to get rid of depression
Depression is a mixture of feelings of sadness, loneliness, feeling rejected by others, feeling helpless and powerless to face life’s problems.
According to the definition of the American Institute of Mental Health, depression is:
“a disorder in the rest of the body that includes the body, thoughts and mood and affects the person’s view of himself and the people around him and the events that happen so that the patient loses his physical, psychological and emotional balance.”
If you suffer from some depression and feel sad and lonely, we offer you the best ways and tips to improve your condition and get yourself out of this situation:
1- Leaving the house:
When you feel depressed, one of the solutions is to go out and go to different and new places, such as going to a restaurant to eat a different and new meal, or going to a special park that you have not been to before, or shopping and buying clothes or perfumes , these things may slightly improve your depression .
2- Smile:
Putting a happy smile on your face can help kill depression from within and is an amazing and wonderful way to cheer you up.
3- Share:
Your life will be better and easier if you distance yourself from negative thoughts and isolation, and this will only be done by participating in some activities or competitions, such as participating in baking contests or in a club that includes many competitions and activities that are entertaining for you.
4- Keep yourself away from unhappiness and dissatisfaction:
Make sure that you are not the only one feeling this way, you should think positively and do some of the things you love like watching a comedy movie or looking at an old photo album. These things will make you smile, remind you of the good things in the past, and drive away negative thoughts.
5. Stick with people close to you who are cheerful and comfortable for you.
You should stay away from any bad friends who may generate depression in you and those who are selfish and spiteful, hold tightly to any friends and relatives you love and always help you to overcome difficulties and go into life in a happy optimistic spirit.
6- Getting up
Just staying in your sleeping place for a long time after waking up, this alone makes you feel depressed, will make you feel useless and not do anything important in your life. In the morning and not getting enough sleep at night may cause you some feeling of depression.
7- Just have fun and stop worrying and expel thinking about negative things. The enjoyment does not have to be an obligation, it is an amazing feeling of joy especially if one has the ability to do it.
8- Presentation:
If there is a job and a job that you were looking for, you should not miss the opportunity and go to get that job that you were dreaming of, this will change a lot of your thinking in life, which will give you a feeling of happiness and importance and will be expelled when depression.
9. Talk a lot.
Just getting out of the silence and starting to talk is a very good thing and will make you more comfortable, when you talk stay away from talking about the bad things and fears that you have. It is better to talk about happy and funny things and about your ambitions, by spending a night with your family and having fun.
10. Being depressed makes you feel weak.
So you have to try to expel this feeling from inside you and convince yourself of your strength and that you are the most influential person, this will make you feel better and will expel all forms of negative life around you to enjoy a positive, optimistic, cheerful spirit and look at life differently.
11- Sports:
Regular exercise may be just what you need to relieve depression or anxiety. A study conducted by a team of researchers at Duke University Medical Center showed that engaging in light exercise three times a week gives the same effect as antidepressant medications. Exercise affects chemicals in the brain and improves blood flow to the brain . It is not necessary to do vigorous activities, walking for at least 30 minutes three times a week helps improve mood .
12- Yoga:
When you allow your body to relax, you help it see the world from a more optimistic perspective. One way to achieve effective relaxation is to practice yoga, which is now becoming increasingly popular. Studies have shown that yoga associated with breathing exercises can lower levels of cortisone, the adrenal hormone that causes stress.
13- Food and vitamins:
The foods you choose can affect your mood. Deficiency in some nutrients is associated with human depression such as lack of omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, selenium, chromium, vitamin D , vitamins B12 and folic acid. The author of the book “The Brain Diet ” says that eating certain foods can enhance a person’s mood under normal circumstances, and the secret is to eat a balanced diet .
14. Write down how you feel.
Bringing out feelings either in a letter or in a diary provides insight into feelings and gives an idea of how to get rid of destructive emotions. Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at the University of Texas Dr. James W. Pennebaker says that although research on the value of expressive writing is still in its infancy, it is clear that it improves one’s mental health. He recommends writing for a minimum of 15 minutes per day, on paper or computer for three or four consecutive days.
