How to Tell You’re Depressed
5 Common Signs of Depression
3 min read
A lot of us hit those moments where everything feels like too much, and even simple tasks seem huge. While it’s normal to have off days, if you’re feeling sad, hopeless, or empty for an extended amount of time, it could be a sign of depression.
Hubs like New York City can be pretty intense. Even for those of us who thrive off of the energy and speed of the city, it's easy to slip into overwhelm. Healthy stress is a powerful driver and fatigue is our signal to slow down or rest. But how do you know if your feelings are just part of a healthy, high output rhythm as opposed to something more serious going on, like depression?
If you’re wondering about this, you’re definitely not alone (at the time of this writing, Google searches for “depression” were trending about 85 people per day for NYC). It’s one of the most common reasons people seek mental health support. Yet despite the large number of people experiencing depression personally or in their close circles, there is still wide confusion and uncertainty on how to identify it confidently.
So, how do you figure out if you’re dealing with depression? It’s not always straightforward, but here are a few signs to watch out for.
Constant Sadness: Feeling down now and then is normal, but if you’re constantly feeling sad or hopeless, it might be more than just a rough patch. Two weeks is a good metric you can use to evaluate if a lasting bad mood is starting to approach depression territory.
Loss of Interest: This is a top indicator clinicians will monitor. If activities you used to enjoy now seem like a drag, or hanging out with friends feels more like a chore, that could be a red flag that your mood is slipping into a more depressed state.
Changes in Appetite or Weight: Depression can mess with your eating habits by either making you overeat for comfort or lose your appetite completely. Being out of sync or disconnected with our appetite drive can sometimes be an indicator of depression. Extreme fluctuations in weight or food habits are important to pay attention to and monitor.
Fatigue: Even if you’re getting enough sleep, you might still feel wiped out and lacking energy, making even simple tasks feel like too much. Again, the two week mark is helpful here. If you haven’t felt a change in restfulness after two weeks, start considering more intentional treatment.
Trouble Focusing: Depression can make it hard to concentrate, remember things, or make decisions, even about incidental stuff. A noticeable shift in executive functioning is an important sign to pay attention to. A depressive episode can cause the mind to be foggy, slow, or distant. These experiences aren’t an issue if they happen every once and a while, but if it passes the two week mark there’s probably a deeper issue.
If any of this sounds familiar, it might be time to accept that you’re experiencing depression. Of course, there are many things you can do on your own to help yourself but it’s also important to seek out help. Talking to a therapist or mental health professional can give you the support and tools you need to manage your feelings. Depression is nothing to feel ashamed of It’s a physiological phenomenon our bodies can deploy to help us manage. Sometimes our brains stay stuck in that depressed position, but there are many ways to get unstuck.
“Depression typically isn’t just a funk we can ‘shake off’ by going outside. Usually it’s our brain’s way of shutting ourselves off from difficult thoughts and feelings.”
One of the most powerful treatments for depression is experiential therapy, an empirically studied model we use at Downtown Somatic Therapy to rewire the brain and nervous system for healthy functioning. “Depression typically isn’t just a funk we can ‘shake off’ by going outside. Usually it’s our brain’s way of shutting ourselves off from difficult thoughts and feelings. It’s more like a lack of feeling, a numbing from life.” - Wes Curtis, experiential therapist.
It’s important to acknowledge the emotional weight depression can bring. This weight doesn’t just affect us. It affects our work and our families. It’s totally okay to not be okay, and asking for help is actually an act of courage. You’re not alone in these struggles, and there are people who want to help you through this.
“The good news is that there are many paths to mental relief and alleviation.”
Depression is a common issue with many different solutions. Some people find antidepressant medication to be a useful step toward wellness. Others prefer working with a well-trained psychotherapist to help them understand and heal the complexities underneath the depression. The good news is that there are many paths to relief and permanent alleviation.
Besides seeking professional help, taking care of yourself daily can make a difference. Things like regular exercise, mindfulness, and a balanced lifestyle can help ease the symptoms and boost your overall well-being. Sometimes it can create enough inertia to tip the scale back to regular functioning. However, in some cases the depression goes deeper and requires a clinical eye.
Don’t forget, it’s okay to reach out for help. You deserve to live a life that feels good and fulfilling. So take that first step toward feeling better and reach out to a therapist who can help guide you through.