The tricky thing about depression is that sometimes, people try to hide its signs from others, while some don’t even realize that they are already depressed. Although the common symptoms of depression like hopelessness or sadness are easily recognizable, some symptoms are less obvious.
Here are some hidden signs of depression you need to keep an eye on, whether it is for people around you or for yourself.
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Drug or Alcohol Use
Some people suffering from mood disorders may turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with their feelings of loneliness, hopelessness, or sadness. Studies have revealed that people with a mood disorder or anxiety also tend to have a substance or alcohol use disorder. Similarly, those who have a substance or alcohol use disorder are also found to have a mood disorder.
Changes in Weight and Appetite
Eating too little or too much may also indicate depression. There are people who find comfort in food while others eat less or lose their appetite because of a low mood. Changes in food intake can make a person lose or gain weight.
Dramatic weight changes may even worsen depression because they can impact the self-esteem of a person. Physiological factors may also be at play here. For example, increased body inflammation and carrying excess fat are found to be connected. In turn, it might result in increased severity or development of depressive symptoms.
Irritability or Anger
A lot of people often don’t associate irritability and anger with depression. What they don’t realize is that these changes in mood are quite common among depressed people. Rather than looking sad and lonely, some people who hide their depression may become irritable or exhibit suppressed or overt anger.
Changes in Sleep Habits
Sleep and mood have a strong link. Lack of sleep may contribute to depression, while depression can make it harder to get a good night’s sleep.
People with insomnia have higher risks of developing depression compared to those who don’t have any trouble sleeping. It would be best for them to seek help in the form of psychotherapy against depression and its side effects from a psychotherapist at mypsychotherapist.co.uk.