The Many Faces of Depression
Do you know that people experience depression differently? One person’s symptoms may completely be different from another’s yet they both have depression. When people talk about depression, they mostly lean towards the common symptoms of deep-sadness, heavy thoughts and loss of interest in things. These symptoms are true for a lot of depressed people but not all of them.
You may not fit the stereotype of a depressed person but that doesn’t make your symptoms of depression any less valid. It’s easy for others to tell you to “snap out of your depression” when they don’t understand that the symptoms can sometimes come in waves. They may even be different from your last depressive episode.
Depression Can Be It Can Also Be
Overeating or overindulging in food. Having no appetite at all
Oversleeping or sleeping at odd hours Complete lack of sleep
Crying most of the time/ overly emotional Not crying or feeling anything
Struggling with basic hygiene/self-care Trying to look physically better than you feel
Lack of productivity at work Working too much/hard
Being visibly sad or low Overcompensating with humor
Struggling to get out of bed Not struggling to get out of bed
Having many depressive episodes Feeling depressed but not intensely
Not talking to anyone about it Oversharing or talking about it
Isolation from everyone Socialization to suppress the pain
Loss of interest in activities Doing the same activities but not enjoying
A person can have a mixture of these symptoms and others may be recurrent. Don’t judge anyone who says they’re depressed but they “don’t look depressed” because you never know which symptoms they’re struggling with.
Depression also comes in many forms like:
Seasonal depression/ Seasonal affective disorder - A mood disorder that is caused by a change in seasons or occurs at a particular season of the year most often in the fall and winter seasons.
Postpartum depression - Occurs after birth due to hormonal changes, fatigue and adjustment to motherhood. It mostly affects new mothers.
Situational depression - This happens when one goes through a traumatic event like the death of a loved one, job loss, divorce, or breakup. The symptoms may not last too long.
Atypical depression - Depressive mood disorder that dramatically improves in the face of positive or pleasurable circumstances, events and feelings.
Premenstrual depression - Feelings of anger, irritability, moodiness, tension, anxiety and hopelessness that occur in women before their menstruation begins.
Psychotic depression - Typical symptoms of depression with physical symptoms like delusions, hallucinations and paranoia.
Melancholia - Depressive mood disorder that is characterized by intense feelings of sadness, hopelessness and a loss of interest in everything.
Persistent depressive disorder - A long-term depressive mood that has exceeded two years with at least two of the following symptoms; low energy or fatigue, hopelessness, poor concentration, insomnia or excessive sleep, low self-esteem, poor appetite or overeating and indecisiveness.
Bipolar disorder - A mental condition that causes mood changes of very emotional highs and depressive lows.
Major depression - A mental disorder that affects one’s ability to cope normally because of the depressive symptoms of loss of interest in activities, low mood and low self-esteem for more than two weeks.
As we’ve learned, depression is a lot of things and it has many faces. The symptoms may look different for everyone. You may also be experiencing a very specific type of depression that you’re not able to fully understand because the symptoms are not very typical. All forms and symptoms of depression can be treated and managed with the right approach and care.
If you suspect that you may have depression, kindly reach out to us and book your consultation. We are available to provide online therapy so you don’t have to worry about showing up in person. Having depression is not the end of the world. There is hope for healing.
