It's not always easy to tell if someone has depression. While some signs such as sadness, pessimism and withdrawal from social interaction are easy to recognise, other symptoms may be less obvious. And some people are very good at hiding their depression - even from themselves! Here, we take a look at some of the possible signs of hidden depression.
Worrying less or more than usual can indicate hidden depression. Some people lose their appetite because of their low mood while others eat more than usual for comfort. Changes in diet can lead to weight loss or gain, and a dramatically altered appearance can affect a person's self-esteem.
Bach Flower Mix 61 can be helpful for someone with a loss of appetite.
Sleep is vital for good mental health. Insomnia increases the risk of depression by up to 10 times. People suffering from depression often find it difficult to sleep, and a lack of sleep makes their depression worse. Conversely, sleeping longer than usual can also be a sign of hidden depression, so be aware of any changes to sleep patterns.
Some people with hidden depression may cope with their feelings of loneliness, sadness or hopelessness with drugs or alcohol. Up to 1 in 5 people with a mood disorder such as depression or anxiety also have a substance or alcohol use disorder. A similar number of those who misuse drugs or alcohol also have other mental health issues.
Everyone feels tired at times, but excessive fatigue is a common sign of depression.
If you notice someone loses their train of thought when you're talking to them, or tails off while they search for a word, this can indicate poor concentration. This is a common sign of depression, although it can also be a symptom of other health problems.
Hidden depression is sometimes called smiling depression because people hiding their symptoms will often put on a smile in a social setting. However, the mask will sometimes slip, and this is when you may notice signs of loneliness, sadness or pessimism.
A lack of interest in hobbies and other activities that the person used to take pleasure in is often one of the first symptoms of hidden depression that people notice.
While depression is a mental health issue, it can also have an impact on physical health. As well as fatigue and changes in weight, other physical signs to watch our for include chronic pain, digestive issues, headaches and backache. The person may also be more irritable than usual.
The libido may decrease if someone is suffering from depression for many reasons, including fatigue, aches and pains, and a lack of interest in any pleasurable activity, which includes sex.
Depression in childhood is on the increase around the world. Yet many people are still not aware of the problem, and it is easy to miss the signs.
Because young children often don't have the capacity to express their feelings verbally, childhood depression is more likely to show itself in physical symptoms such as separation anxiety, aches and pains, and restlessness. Other signs to watch out for include:
If your child is experiencing social and emotional problems, Bach Flower Mix 64 reduces the risk of depression and helps them to cope better with stressful situations. Bach Flower Mix 66 can help older children and teenagers to throw off dejection and gloom, restore their self-esteem and calm down their anger.
Some other ways in which you can support them include:
If someone you know seems to have signs or symptoms of hidden depression, try to offer non-judgemental support. Talk to them about their feelings. Some other ways to support them include accompanying them to appointments, going for a walk or run together, planning an outing with them, and encouraging them to socialise with family and friends.
Last but not least, caring for someone suffering from depression can be challenging, so don't forget to look after your own mental and physical health.
Sources:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/signs-someone-is-depressed/
https://www.webmd.com/depression/features/depression-and-weight-connection
https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/problems-disorders/alcohol-and-depression
Do you sometimes despair about humanity because it seems there are far more bad people than good? Are we primarily selfish individuals, thinking only about our own needs? Or is this cynical belief just because we spend so much time online? The truth is more complicated!
Have you ever noticed that some people are instantly likeable? Many people believe that people will only like you because of natural traits you're born with: good looks, talent and sociability. But this is a misconception. Getting people to like you is within your control, and it's all to do with self-belief, knowing yourself and being emotionally intelligent. Here's what to do to be more likeable.
Can we learn from our mistakes and develop a stronger, healthier emotional bondwith our kids? To help you identify your weak spots, we’ve rounded up some of the most common mistakes parents make.
We simply can’t avoid noticing the changes all around us. Autumn is here... Autumn is also called a transitional season. Slowly and steadily, it prepares us for the transition...
Read the complete article
People always think: that’s just me. I'm not good at 'X', that is just my character. Here are some reasons why it's never too late to change.
Read the complete article
Do you sometimes feel your achievements are not the result of your hard work and skill but are just luck? And do you fear that one day, someone will reveal you as an imposter or fraud? You might have imposter syndrome!
People spend so much of their time regretting the past and worrying about the future. But it’s not worth it! Even what happened yesterday doesn't matter anymore! Let go of the past and the future and make the most of every moment.
Everyone is unique, even in their own bad habits or negative traits. Here are some tips to balance those negative traits in our new article!
Sexual desire is a complex interaction of hormones, emotions and well-being. When your partner is not as interested in sex as you are, it’s rarely a rejection of you as a person. So it’s essential to be as empathetic as you can regarding your differing libidos.
Do you feel you’re always criticising and judging everyone, yourself included? Do you feel bad about it afterwards? You’re certainly not alone! Read on to discover how you can judge less and start to accept things the way they are.
Are you unsure which Bach flowers can help you? Contact Tom for free advice.
