[Closed] What do people think are the signs and symptoms of depression?

avoiding social interaction / not leaving the house.
Lethargy.
Indifferent and disinterested in stuff.

For me it was a lack of interest in work, short tempered at home, my personal hygiene slipped a little, stopped riding my bike (something I've struggled to get back into since), stomach problems, aggravated migraines, insomnia and general lack of get up and go.

I have finally admitted to myself last week that I am suffering. IMO:

Feelings of being useless and an annoyance to people.
Feeling that some people close to you would be better off without you.
Crying a lot for no reason.
Losing sense of humour.
Getting tired due to lack of sleep.

Mine has been triggered by being injured for the last 8 odd months, being mostly in either mild pain or discomfort and not being able to do all the things I need to and want to. Although this is getting better.

Crying a lot for no reason.

Forgot that one, it happened more once I admitted I had a problem.

Yip - those are the most commonly known ones - but what are the ones that fewer people know about?

Not a doctor but I guess it's different for everyone. But to name a few: withdrawal, lack of energy, insomnia, sense of worthlessness, sense of detachment from those around you, lack of confidence, negativity, apathy, mood swings etc...

Perhaps the most interesting factor is that some sufferers seem to be able to hide it from others and live otherwise normal lives.

as above. actively or passively avoiding interaction (though that's not necessarily a marker for depression).
procrastination. lack of self esteem. avoiding activities that would be usual (e.g. going for a spin)

fading levels of fitness. lethargy. possible resort to alcohol or similar. disturbed sleep patterns. irritability.

I think insomnia is the first symptom and often the last to go as well. I remember starting SSRIs and being able to actually sleep for 7 hours, it was a complete revelation after only getting 1-3 hours a night at best.

Disassociation from everything you once though of as normal.
Family, friends, work, hobbies, hygiene and so on.
Feelings of hopelessness, Inadequacy, and generally feeling shit all the time.

Perhaps I should be asking - what tends to accompany depression?

Following a bereavement, most of the symptoms listed above sound familiar to me. Given the trigger I haven't seen them as a particular problem rather than a fairly natural reaction to the loss and a part of the grieving process.

Does that sound reasonable or am I kidding myself?

How long do you let these sort of emotions persist before you think of it as a problem and not something that will pass?

I went to the docs a couple of months back after my sister posted a link to PMDD symptoms she suffered from. PMDD being a female thing, but I found myself affected by almost all of them:

Feelings of sadness or despair, or even thoughts of suicide
Feelings of tension or anxiety
Panic attacks
Mood swings or frequent crying
Lasting irritability or anger that affects other people
Lack of interest in daily activities and relationships
Trouble thinking or focusing
Tiredness or low energy
Food cravings or binge eating
Trouble sleeping
Feeling out of control
Physical symptoms, such as bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, and joint or muscle pain

The doctor said this is depression, which I kind of knew but also it comes and goes so I know it will go as much as I know its round the corner.

Today was my follow up appointment. Today I feel fine. I attribute the symptoms largely to work stress / discontentment. For me the problem is that exercise helps, but has a black lining in that it often tips me into depression post-workout. Its a very fine line - I would love to do more exercise like I see pals doing, but it grinds me down mentally and physically if I go as far.

Its tricky. So many factors at play.

I think another factor is being too self-critical. A mate of mine who did a psychology degree pretty much psycho-analysed himself into depression (there were some other factors too, but he says this was the main cause). It was very scary, he went from being a confident, funny, carefree bloke into this withdrawn, nervous, shell of a person. Took him years, and some quite heavy duty drugs and counselling to recover.

signs and symptoms in myself im pretty good at recognising.

in others, so much harder. obvious signs in one person are nothing of the sort when exhibited by another.

possible feelings - especially if someone is already meticulous - is of being paralysed by indecision - maybe not indecision but unwilling to start on a course or work (or play) if there is a hint it might not be right..

I've had to cut down on watching the news, which has helped.

Things you loved fading, and you don't know why.

[img] [/img]

Indecision is a good one. Man, I remember the feeling when I actually made a big decision, it was like turning the lights back on- I am not powerless. I mean, it didn't even matter if it was a [i]good [/i]decision.

That's probably actually my biggest issue, kcal, though I recognise most of the others mentioned.

I've learned something from this thread, things I thought perfectly normal indicate I'm a manic depressive. What should I do now?

You could go and educate yourself and stop being an idiot.

Me, or those with their simplistic tick lists?

Are you going to contribute anything positive to this thread, or are you just going to pull your usual crap and try to turn it to shit?

I also reckon the knock-on effect of indecision inertia is that things pile on -- so you spend the time making lists of to-do tasks - but are unable to get through them - or are to tired to do so - with the result you have this log-jam of things to do, no time to get out for a head clearing walk, spin or whatever. ..

From personal experience you may never notice any symptoms of a work colleague, such as in the case of that poor pilot.

Unless you know they're going straight in from work and going to bed/curling up in a ball often peoplle will expend all the energy they can summon to appear normal during work, whiich obviously has a two-fold effect of not telling anyone/managers so they can cater for it, and burns you up even quicker.

I have zero sympathy for the "poor pilot". If the theory that he deliberately crashed the plane is true, then he has committed an act of mass murder.

Perhaps I should be asking - what tends to accompany depression?

I have zero sympathy for the "poor pilot"

Different thread. Keep the mob rule and pitchforks on the air crash thread I reckon. This one's talking about depression, it's symptoms and how to identify it.

Fair enough chap, I hope that made you feel better.

I'm really on the edge right now, and coming to terms with having a rather serious set of problems.

Almost all of these are currently familiar to me.... and it's crept up without me noticing.

Anyway, not trying to detail the thread, just trying to understand myself.

Mental health is difficult to self quantify, unlike physical health. I knew I had infected finger for some time, though it's only a little part of me. Meanwhile my mind has been seriously unwell for some time, and I hardly knew.

Perhaps I should be asking - what tends to accompany depression?

can you tell us please?

My positive point is that I don't think a simplistic tick list of "signs and symptoms of depression" will help prevent a repeat of the German Wings crash but may well produce a long list of "depression suspects" which would do more harm than good.

I seem to remember someone on here quoted a quarter of the population having some kind of mental health issues. The vast majority of them manage their issues and continue to contribute positively to society. As I am to this thread if you could but see it.

Tbh after my visit to the doctors last week, I've no idea.

I went with a list of minor niggling issues i've been having over a long period of time. He diagnosed me, to my utter suprise, with anxiety issues. I've basically too much adrenaline flowing through my system.

I was quite taken aback tbh, as I never thought in a million year that that would be a problem i'd have(most people comment that I'm that laid back as to be almost horizontal). (I'm actually hoping this gear helps me with my debilitating fear of heights too, I think it will. 🙂 )

Anyhow, he stuck me on Propranolol(a beta blocker, that will help with elevated blood pressure too) and since last week, I've been having the best sleep i've had in a long time, plus there's a certain background irritation that's gone now, that I didn't even know was there.

So, tbh I've no idea, I'll leave that to the professionals.

Edukator - nobody is trying to put together a "simple tick list". As for things that will help prevent a repeat of the Germanwings situation - they've already been put in place by the relevant bodies.

Looking forwards to sleep (as in from the moment you wake up)

inability to deal with things - an I'll do it tomorrow attitude, extended to everything incl personal hygiene.

feeling worthless / helpless / a burden*

*often leading to thoughts of suicide.

a lot of people who sufer from depression are able to mask the facts, to their freinds and family, its outsiders that notice something may be amiss and like on this forum, we sometimes find it easierer to talk or write about our feeling to strangers, and usually those strangers offer good advice and help along with details of their own problems.

At the curent time know 3 freinds who are suffering from Depression 2 with manic episodes where they spend foolishly, one has bought a very expensive bike which he doesnt ride because hes lost intrest.

Propranolol

very effective stuff but takes the zing out of things a bit, never feeling adrenaline. don't think I'd want to take it regularly but certainly helps for specific applications.

All of the above plus a tendency to reflect too much on bad things that happened in the past.

Most of the stress I suffer turns out in the end to have been unnecessary and completely self-imposed.

Medical secrecy laws are still very much in place throughout Europe.

Mitterrand, Kennedy and a long list of world leaders lied through their teeth about the state of their health and had the ability to wipe out half of mankind.

What is the price of confidentiality?

Start your own thread if you want to go down that route. This is not the place for it.

https://medconfidential.org/how-to-opt-out/

Have you checked out the NHS website? It's very good for info like this.

If you are concerned about yourself I'd urge you to visit your gp and express those concerns.

Negativity and a combative approach to discussion can be a big indicator in my experience.

Have you checked out the NHS website? It's very good for info like this.

Wanman is after people's opinions of the signs and symptoms not a copy and paste list. 😀

Dagnammit, is there nothing here I haven't had?

Oh yeah, tender breasts.

It really does all make sense now.

Negativity and a combative approach to discussion can be a big indicator in my experience.

So everyone on this forum then? They should rename it 🙂

Dazh- sometimes it's so obvious it's painful.

I think you're confusing "depression" with "depressing."

bigjim - Member
Propranolol
very effective stuff but takes the zing out of things a bit, never feeling adrenaline. don't think I'd want to take it regularly but certainly helps for specific applications.

Seems alright tbh, obviously these things affect people differently, and i'm only a week in. But that was one for my concerns about it, i'll take it as it comes see how it goes. I think this stuff just wears off if you go off it anyhow, so not too much to worry about.

The improvement in sleep quality is definitely worth it, so far, though.

A sad face and telling people to "cheer up" is the cure.

Onset symptoms for some of us are mania and more mildly, attempts to overcompensate - which could be difficult to read from the outside as it can look like wellbeing and might also be a positive coping strategy.

Sudden changes in weight, up or down.

Negativity and a combative approach to discussion can be a big indicator in my experience.

Keeping something on track sometimes needs negativity and a combative approach, or as I like to call it "direct". I make no apologies for it.

Wanman is after people's opinions of the signs and symptoms not a copy and paste list.

Exactly. Given that I have a long history of depression myself and now work in mental health physio I reckon I've got a good grounding on what depression is and slightly less what it isn't. I'm interested in light of the plane crash to see what other people think.

Outwardly a lack of energy and interest and lack of personal hygiene.
Inwardly a deep set unfounded feeling of impending doom and utter helplessness.

Strange thing, depression. I *think* I have depression but I guess it will take a doc to work it out.

I'm sleeping generally OK but I have absolutely [b]no[/b] interest in anything that I used to be excited by. Everything is flat, everything is grey. I feel as if someone was to give me £1m then I'd say 'Meh'. I cannot think of anything I want to do now or in the future. I worry about everything and can't see anything improving. Sort of 'waiting for death' and not caring about if and when it happens. 😕 I've been like this for many years. I'm concerned that if I see a doc and they say "Yes, it's depression" I will have wasted so much life in this state. It just feels normal to me now.

When I was at college at the crux of coming out I used to get manic episodes which were bizarre. I'd descend into lethargy and tears over a few weeks and I wouldn't know why and then [i]something[/i] would happen - I'd hear a bit of Beethoven, see a bird in the sky, smell something nice and *POW* I'd be flipped and be crying because I was so happy and didn't know why. This would last a few days before the descent into sadness again. Must have been depression/stress related. Once I came out they went away. The manic episodes were interesting though; I was full of energy on top of the world and I felt as if I could do *anything*.

Strange thing, depression. I *think* I have depression but I guess it will take a doc to work it out.

Days?

I'm concerned that if I see a doc and they say "Yes, it's depression" I will have wasted so much life in this state. It just feels normal to me now.

Well if you have and they and can help you find a bit of zest again, that would be good, no?

Now that's one I have avoided 😉 Always clean pants.... [url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/how-long-do-you-keep-your-trousers-on-for ]if nothing else[/url]

I was a closet depressive. As mentioned earlier there were times when I'd go to bed as soon as I got home from work and had all the internal negativity and lack of self worth, but I could put on a performance when needed. Until I broke. Then when I couldn't cope with daily life and finally got help and eventually managed to open up to someone it became pretty plain that all was not well and that I'd been living with it for most of my adult life.

So adamw try talking to a medical professional. You haven't wasted your life, but you can live the rest of it differently.

[quote=AdamW ]Strange thing, depression. I *think* I have depression but I guess it will take a doc to work it out.

Given your list of symptoms, no it won't! Though I suspect it's possible you actually have slightly more complex issues (I'm not a medical professional, so not going to speculate any more).

This thread has been interesting for me, as I hadn't realised some of the things I thought were just me (yes, personal hygiene) were such standard things. I've always thought I put on a brave face in the real world, and wonder how many of my acquaintances realise I'm not right (I think one or two have some idea). Still haven't worked out what the endgame is for me - hoping I have the courage at some point to sort my life out (see above regarding having trouble making decisions).

chip - Member

How many days in are you on your underpants

Modern synthetic fibres don't rot for years!

thepurist touched on something that's obvious to me now but wasn't at the time; when something's wrong, you generally soldier on or hide it or just try and get past it, sometimes for a very long time.

I reckon for some of us the worst place to be is maybe that last 1% above that point; where everything is so shit that you can [i]just barely[/i] keep going, and so you do. Getting worse, to the point I couldn't keep going any more, was where it turned around for me, I never would have done anything else if it hadn't got worst, I'd have just been 1% above rock bottom for ages

@dazh interesting experience. I've often asked Psychology students how they come to terms with their own personality, given they understand established conditions/symptoms and the majority of us have what are often described as character flaws!

I know when I hit "it's a wonderful life" to reach for help or try to change my lifestyle.
In those times the story is twisted round 180 and I am being shown how everyone's life would be better off if I had never existed.

Never that far away from the bottom but I have never been happier than now working part time being in debt with no prospects. Who knows how the mind works?

I was in a bad place late last year. Wife at home with our 3 children whilst I worked away. Really took a toll on us all. In that time my mother was diagnosed with Huntingtons Disease. I let everything about work gnaw away at me, and looked for every excuse not to get out on the bike or go for a hill walk. I eventually had a bit of a meltdown at work. Employer has since based me at home and am on a course of Citalopram. Recently got back into drawing and painting, as well as listening to classical music and joining a local choir. Things are good at the minute, but it still feels a bit like walking a tight rope.

Admitting to a problem has been the best thing, and talking to friends I have realised that many of them are onthe same roller coaster, which has been good to know, especially as blokes don't open up that much.

Sorry I know this is of little relevance to the Alps plane crash.

My wife has some experience with mental health, so she spotted my depression long before I did. I was trying to tough out it out, but she pushed me to do some research. It was when I read [url= http://www.wingofmadness.com/what-does-depression-feel-like/ ]this[/url] that I realised something was wrong.
Depression is shit, but it is treatable. Accepting - finally - I had an issue and seeking help for it is one of the best things I have ever done.

My student showed me her cut arms.

One student punched a wall.

Another killed herself.

Others remain quiet.

Depression needs to be taken seriously.

For me it was

Insomnia, anger at the little things, binge eating, stopped doing things around the house, difficulty getting out of bed in the morning on work days and days off, feeling that life had no real meaning, irritability.

All of the time i was putting a brave face on, and most people i knew had no idea i was experiencing this.

Most of the stuff posted above has described me, not all at the same time thankfully, but various bits and pieces.

I'm lucky to have my mate and his missus to speak to about things. A few weeks ago, I was on the phone to my mate telling him how I was feeling and he told me to " just book with the ********* doctor like I've been telling you, ring me back when you have.

He then went off the phone and turned it off......

Made the appointment and got hold of him to tell him. The Doctor reckons I've got some issue which I can't remember the name of which means I have up and down moods. The Doctor said I was like a roller coaster and moved his hand up and down.

Doctor said it's not depression and wouldn't prescribe me anything. He gave me the details of counselling. I've not made an appointment as I actually feel better now knowing what it's, in other words I'm not depressed about being depressed.

I really feel for people who suffer this terrible illness of full blown depression as, knowing how bad I can feel, God knows what they are going through.

Guess The point I'm trying to make is go and see the doctor if you think anything is wrong, it may not be as bad as you feel it is and, if it is, get it sorted.

There is a very comprehensive list on the mind website. It's well worth a look

http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/depression/symptoms/#.VRfC5Nm9Kc0

At the weekend I met one of my husbands old friends. He has a lot of the symptoms mentioned above. I took the step of telling him about myself, to which he replied, Oh everyone's jumping on the 'depression' bandwagon since that pilot crashed his plane. What! I felt like punching him 🙄

I'd normalised my depression. I'd suffered for so long that I believed It was who I was - antisocial, anxious, lacking in energy, poor sleeping patterns, poor social skills, irritibility, short temper, angry, up and down diet of healthy to unbelievably unhealthy and related weight gain/loss, and emotional numbness.

I'd just become convinced I wasn't a nice person who didn't like people or social occasions so lived like that for years. It was only when I hit rock bottom last year and sorted out my finances, tied up loose ends for my family to be 'ok' and then carefully planned my suicide that I realised I was not well.

Antidepressents and councilling are slowly bringing me back to my old self. I'd forgotten what it was like to enjoy life. It's been revelatory this past 12 months.

Does anyone feel so down one day and then completely fine the next?

Yes.

Some days I feel unable to go out or talk to people.
Other days I feel completely normal and am grateful that this is a good day.

I think I really need to see someone but scares me the thought of talking about myself and my feelings.

Ups and downs are very normal. Or downs and ups.

Here's the thing... I didn't speak to anyone til I had no choice in the matter. This was the easy and terrible option. I'd give a lot to change that.

Does anyone feel so down one day and then completely fine the next?

Yip.

I think I really need to see someone but scares me the thought of talking about myself and my feelings.

Most people feel the same way.

Go and speak to someone, it will make a hell of a difference.

I'd spend a good chunk of my day off in bed, not even doing anything. I can't even imagine that now, but it may well happen again.

Does anyone feel so down one day and then completely fine the next?

I have had this pattern for over 20 years. Only recently found out it was caused by being severely traumatised as a child.

Shame as I feel like having found a therapy which helps, I have so many other problems, it is almost too late.

I Still get it, but it is not swinging from an endless black hole to feeling fine and back many times over the course a week.

I feel exactly the same, my Doctor recommended some counsilling but I've not gone for it.

I went to him thinking I was Depressed and he put me straight as I wasn't.

Actually, I feel better since knowing I'm not depressed and I just ride with the bad days and look forward to the better ones.

Signs and symptoms.
I feel like no one would even utter a word about mental health issues even if it was slapping them in the face. Anxiety and depression here for all my life. Well 20 years anyways. Not one family member has asked in that time. Not one friend has asked at all. So for the last eight years I've kept myself to myself and am a recluse. From a teen to 32 I've always masked it and hid it and always worked. Now 38.
Anyways when you need people the most and all that. Yes I've done psychiatrist, doctors etc. and I am on medication. Took a long time to find something that seems to help. I struggle around people. Anxiety etc. You know what? It's so easy to spot , I can't believe people DONT. Or moreover don't want to acknowledge.. I'm frightened out my life. What more does anyone want. Signs and symptoms are easy to spot, but engagement from friends and family can go by in a lifetime.
Sad
Frightened
Worried
Paranoid
Not seeing friends
Reluctant to go out
To be here or not
Not washing
Scared
Low
Weight fluctuations
Anxious
Depressed
Nothing matters
And if you come up with the same answer for life or death
Suicide
Possible addiction
Nightmares
Just a few things that overtakes your, mind,body,soul,,spirit and being.
Have I done the right thing in posting? Maybe, maybe not. Much love to anyone who needs it. Life's life. We have all got one.