5 tell tale signs that you might be suffering from depression

If you have been feeling down and you just can’t seem to shake it, the things that have made you happy are not of interest or they’re not having the same effect then it’s not just sadness not letting go- Dr Jeptha Tausig

Depression is one of the most common mental illness in the world and it is killing thousands of people every year. According to Mental Health, “It is a serious illness caused by changes in brain chemistry. Research tells us that other factors contribute to the onset of depression including genetics, changes in hormone levels, certain conditions, stress, grief or difficult life circumstances.”

The good news is, it can be cured, the bad news is most people discover that it is depression when it’s already too late. Just yesterday Kenyan fitness guru, Jane Mukami took to her Facebook page to mourn the demise of her younger brother who committed suicide earlier on this month.

Depression can easily be mistaken for normal blues. You know, preferring to stay in bed instead of being productive, having random bad moods and bouts of insecurity… just the normal everyday life crisis.

So where do you draw the line between what’s normal and what’s deadly?

Depression arises from unique experiences for all its victims. However, it has a few common characteristics that if identified in the early stages can assist in curbing the dreadful effects of Depression. Read on

1. Emotional Instability

One minute you’re laughing with people, the next you’re about balling your eyes out. One is never sure of what’s causing the drastic changes of emotion but can’t help the feeling on melancholy or uncontrollable anger. Depression might be the problem. In their article, Healthline explains that, “Depression can swing your moods around, keeping you away from the calm you so desperately want. In a similar way to another mood disorder, bipolar disorder, moods can fluctuate uncontrollably, which is one reason why the two are often confused.”

2. Lack of interest

Life isn’t exciting anymore. Depression can turn the happiest go lucky into a silent reserved person. Most often than not such a change will be attributed to an attitude problem or ‘growing up’ for teenagers.

3. Bad eating habits

Some people lose their appetite completely, others gain it with renewed vigor. Depression can be caused by stress disorders and one of the major go self-help tactics that people take is food. Is she gaining weight drastically? It might be just bad feeding but go deeper, it could also be a sign of depression.

4. Low productivity levels

Due to the excessive lethargy that comes with depression most victims lose their productiveness. Watch depression turn a perfectly innovative mind into a vegetable. This is one of the early symptoms of depression. Have you noticed a colleague lose their mojo? Don’t just give solutions, find out what’s happening.

5. Exhaustion

Due to the mental turmoil that is constantly happening in their minds, people experiencing depression tend to feel lethargic almost all the time. One can spend the whole day sleeping and still be tired enough to pass out at night. If there are current health problems or some developing it’s important to ensure that it’s not depression.