How to Recognize the Signs of Depression & 6 Ways You Can Help

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Often times we hear the stories of those who say the words “Why didn’t I see it?” And many times we beat ourselves up for the aftermath of what comes. We live in a time where talking about depression is more visible. But yet we still stand in some old ways. With the internet at our hands, some still struggle to recognize the signs of depression.

Life has a way of fully distracting us from what is truly important. From work, family, schooling, relationships, and more occupying our everyday lives, it’s easy to see how someone could fall through the cracks of not being noticed when something is mentally wrong. We tend to get caught up in everyday life circling ourselves that we overlook the well being of others around us.

And while this, in many cases, is not a bad thing, a pattern of misunderstood, misguided, and loss continues to repeat itself in the world of Depression. So what do you do when the circle of everyday life is slowed by your care of someone close to you whose circle has completely stopped?

Major Depression is 1 of the most common mental disorders in the US, affecting all ages in some form. It’s known for disrupting the everyday lives of many and those around them. Known as the silent disease, anyone can be affected by it. And many find it very easy to sink deeper into depression.

There May be Something Wrong

According to the NIMH, an estimated 17.3 million adults in the U.S experienced at least 1 major depressive episode in 2017.

Females had a much higher percentage of experiencing an episode (8.7%) than our male counterparts (5.3%) in that same year. Major depression has started to become more recognizable as a health risk, with now multiple forms of treatment to help those take better care of their mental state just as they would with their physical health.

But Statistics aside, we still hear the reports of many losing this battle and suffering in silence. And the age-old question that so many of us often ask yourselves of “Why didn’t I recognize the signs” still continues to be the #1 asked.

 A lot of how to recognize the signs has to do with paying attention to your loved ones’ behavior. As an outsider looking in, you’re able to spot a change in their mood, actions, and overall how they carry themselves that they may be ashamed to see themselves. Now, this doesn’t mean you have to stalk their every move. But be mindful that there’s a change in their pattern that could lead to further help for them.

This also applies to a close friend. While it can be difficult to notice the changes because you don’t see them on a daily basis, here’s where a little detective work comes into play. Digging a little deeper could help you try to determine whether someone is having a few bad days or showing signs of major depression.

How to Recognize the Signs

There are many symptoms that someone can experience that could be mistaken as something common but could, in fact, be someone being depressed. And while being unhappy is something we always compare depression to, it is not the end-all of symptoms. So how do you recognize the signs of someone with depression?

If it’s enough of a noticeable change that you suspect someone you know to be depressed, here are a few things CABA list as symptoms you may want to look out for:

• Low self-confidence and self-esteem
• Feeling hopeless and helpless
• Continuous sadness or feeling of “emptiness”
• Poor appetite and/or sleeping habits
• Increased fatigue or tiredness towards life
• Lack of interest in activities such as hobbies, going out, all the things they once had an interest in
• Having difficulty concentrating or remembering things
• Uncontrollable emotions
• Feeling anxious all the time
• Being more irritable and impatient than usual, sometimes showing anger towards others
• Lack of interest in sex
• Smoking and/or drinking more than usual, or self-medicating

To the More Serious:

• Self-harming
• Feeling or expressing suicidal thoughts
• Unexplained physical aches and pains
• Withdrawal from family and friends

Many of these symptoms can be experienced at different points in depression. Oftentimes can come in clusters for someone experiencing it. While the checklist may be the same, depression affects everyone in different ways and may need a different approach.

Naturally, after learning that a loved one or friend has shown signs of depression, our 1st instinct is to try to fix them right away.  But you must remember that there’s no on or off switch to click and your planned approach is everything.

6 Ways You Can Help Someone who is Showing Signs of Depression

1. Show Some Empathy

By maintaining eye contact when listening, showing understanding and using words such as “I’m sorry you’re going through this” or “I’m always here for you” assures them that they’re in a judgmental free zone and a supporting friend willing to help. It is a difficult and dark time they are going through and knowing that there’s someone there to lend support in a calming manner presents a comfort zone to open up a bit.

2. Assist with Finding Support

It’s not easy to ask for help and they may have their reasons not to or afraid to take the next step. Never try to force them. Instead, offer to review some counseling centers, therapists, or help groups either with or for them. Or even offer to attend their 1st session with them. Showing encouragement and support could help ease their decision towards making the next step.

3. Be Patient

While we all want a simple solution to everything, remember that there’s no quick fix to Depression. It is a long process to handle. You’ll be less likely to become frustrated or give up on your loved one or friend down the road when you show constraint towards the situation. Also, remember that this may all be new to them and something new is always a scary experience because of the unknown. By showing that you’re calm with the situation, it ties back to presenting a comfort zone for them.

4. Be Sure to Set Boundaries

Establish some boundaries with your loved one or friend. It’s okay to let them know that you’re not always going to be there to walk them through every situation. Reminding them that you are there for support but a trained therapist is better equipped to walk them through the process as their main source is not a bad thing.

Setting up a schedule is a good way to juggle wanting to support them and still have time for your life as well. It lets them know your availability and gives them the assurance they are still getting support from you.

Boundaries also allow you to do a little self-care as well. Supporting someone in need can be a challenging task. Remember that help doesn’t mean giving up your life. Learn your limits and when it’s time to self-care because your mental health is equally important.

5. Learn about Depression

A lot of the times the reason we miss the mark is that we just don’t know enough about depression to decide on what to do when someone is going through it. Use this time to educate yourself about their diagnosis as well as other forms of depression. This can help you better understand them and further assist them with their treatment as well as help you with your own self-care.

6. Don’t Give Up

Asking for help is never an easy thing especially for the person who needs it. For myself, asking for help with my depression was admitting that I had a problem that would outcaste myself from being considered normal. A common trait of depression is assuring the outside world that everything is fine and there’s nothing wrong.

So asking for help could be a challenge. As difficult as it may be, don’t give up on them. You may receive negative feedback for trying to help but continue to check-in, communicate, and encourage them to get help.

These actions are just a few but there is more to consider in knowing how to help a depressed friend.

Conclusion

Too many people coming into some form of depression are still living in silence. There will come a day where that age-old question of “Why didn’t I see it sooner?” will be a distant memory. While we don’t have a switch to click it off, there are a ton of resources available to assist with suspicions of someone going through a depressive episode.

It may seem daunting to take on the supporting role of someone dealing with depression and yes there are many obstacles and challenges along the road. But in the end, your support is 1 of the key factors for your loved one or friend to overcome those challenges and maintain a healthier mental state of mind. So don’t be afraid to show support. When you can recognize the signs of someone falling into a depressive episode, you’ll no longer have to ask yourself that “Why” question.

Until next time, this is Tammy saying keep strong, keep positive and NOTHING is impossible!!!