Living With Depression
It’s not easy living with depression. Depression can have a profound effect on your daily life and make even the simplest tasks seem impossible. According to the World Health Organization, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide. So what does this mean for you? Here are five ways that your day-to-day life might be affected by depression:
Symptoms Of Depression
Feeling Tired All The Time
Depression can cause fatigue, lethargy, or lack of motivation. It’s normal to feel exhausted when you have depression, and it takes effort to do even the simplest tasks. It also makes it difficult for you to stay awake during the day and wake up early enough for work or school.
Mood Swings
Depression can make you irritable, tense, or emotionally unpredictable. These mood swings make it difficult to maintain composure and emotional stability. As a result, you may find yourself lashing out at others or crying a lot for no good reason whatsoever.
Poor Concentration
If you have depression, you may find yourself having trouble focusing on the tasks at hand. Whether it’s work or schoolwork, studying for an exam, or writing a paper, depression can make it difficult to concentrate and pay attention. You might struggle with distractions, forget things more often, or have a tough time thinking creatively.
Change in Appetite
Depression can change your appetite, causing you to either eat more or less. This abrupt change in eating habits can lead to rapid weight changes or make it difficult to maintain a healthy diet.
Loss of Interest In Life
Depression can decimate your interest in life. Even activities you used to enjoy are no longer pleasurable, and the thought of going through the routines of doing them feels like a burden. Depression dampens all emotions, leaving nothing but a dullness that is tough to shake.
Poor Sleeping Habits
Depressive symptoms can make it difficult to sleep. Whether it’s insomnia or hypersomnia (sleeping much more than usual), not getting enough rest will inevitably affect your mood and energy levels the next day. This makes it hard to get up in the morning and get through the day.
Suicidality
Sometimes, depression can make life feel like an endless, pointless struggle. In such cases, suicide may seem like the only way to escape the pain and struggle. Having thoughts of suicide is always a sign of severe depression, and you should seek help from your doctor or mental health professional immediately.
Final Thoughts
Living with depression can be a challenge at times. However, there are numerous new treatment options for depression that can help improve your symptoms significantly and bring you back to a healthier state of mind. Whether it’s a combination of depression medication and therapy or a simple change in your daily routine, there are always options to help you lead a full life.