Feeling Depressed? Learn The Symptoms
The effects of depression on a person may be different or in direct contrast with another person’s. Usually, these effects lie in the extreme end of the spectrum. Depression is mainly an emotional problem but its effects penetrate the mental and physical aspects as well. Relationships, which belongs to the social realm, also suffers when a person is diagnosed with depression.
Physical
Depression has many physical manifestations. It can range from unexplained body pains, fatigue, headaches, and stomach aches to serious digestive system disorders and thyroid disease. In older people, depression heightens the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and Parkinson’s disease.
Weight fluctuations are also evident in patient sufferers. Gaining and/or losing vast amount of weight in a short span of time may lead to acquiring bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa. Sleep disorders such as insomnia and hypersomnia may also result as a direct consequence of depression. Libido typically dips and sexual problems like premature ejaculation and decreased potency arise.
Mental
Depression effects could be seen in his ability to focus. Usually, a depressed person would seem distracted and fail hard at keeping his calm and focus. This then makes him more prone to committing mistakes. Moreover, as the patient-sufferer engages in self-defeating ruminations, his ability to make decisions weaken. This potentially affects ones performance at work and studies. Productivity, according to studies, generally decreases because the individual gets distracted, works slower, and fails to give his best on whatever he is undertaking.
Meanwhile, the increase in DHEA levels and decrease in cortisol levels in the glands induce an individual to feel more anxious and increase the probability of him being schizophrenic.
Emotional
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The way depression affects women’s emotional health include frequent mood swings, irritability, being demanding, bouts of insecurity, and feelings of loneliness. For men, it could be quite contradictory as men become more egotistic, loud, defensive, and aggressive. However, this is not always the case as severe depression is always accompanied by feelings of inadequacy, worthlessness, hopelessness, and loneliness. This is true for both sexes and may be the catalyst for suicidal attempts when not regulated or treated.
Social
A person suffering from depression would find it easy to retreat and isolate himself from people, be it loved ones or mere co-workers. Shelling up in his own little world, either physically avoiding social interactions or being emotionally blank and unavailable even in the midst of company, is his resort that further aggravates the condition. Without him knowing, he has slowly and quietly severed the most important thing he has in life: relationships. In this case, family members and friends should just be more understanding and do something at the same time.
Lack of interest in the family or in the relationship is unavoidable as feelings of being unwelcome or unloved overpower the patient-sufferers mind. He sees social interactions as something that would only disappoint and hurt him therefore, he does everything to play it low and safe every time advances of intimacy or affection is given him thinking people are only playing him. He may neglect his obligations and fail to fulfill his responsibilities all in all.
Some sufferers get even more depressed knowing their symptoms but they do nothing about it. They go about their lives as if it’s something they are required to bear leaving the problem cold and untreated, only to resurface again when a depressing event or thing ensues in their lives.
In curing this condition, it is important to understand the full nature of the effects of depression on the individual because it is not a one-size-fits-all thing. Having a support system along with therapy and proper medication should be able to address the problem.
