What depression feels like

Feeling sad, helpless, and disinterested in life can be a normal feeling as we face life every day. For some people, this feeling is temporary and goes away in a short time. However, feeling this way daily and for a long time may be a sign you could be depressed. Could you be wondering what depression feels like? Stay with me.

Statistics from research in 2017 show that about 17.3 million people, 18 years and above, experienced at least one episode of depression that year. Could you be experiencing an episode of depression? You are not alone. This article helps you understand what depression feels like and how you can go about it.

What is depression?

Depression is a mood disorder that causes constant feelings of emptiness, sadness, and disinterest in life. It affects you mentally, socially, and physically in various ways. But, what does depression feel like? Just like it is hard to express feelings, you have to experience depression to explain how it feels like to be depressed.

Forms of depression

The National Institute of Mental Health, United States, states that there are two main forms of depression: Major or Clinical depression and Persistent Depressive Disorder. Here is how the two can be described among other forms of depression.

Major/ Clinical depression manifests depression symptoms that last for at least two weeks. During that period, it affects how you eat, sleep, work, and study.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD), also known as Dysthymia, exhibits less serious symptoms of depression but can last longer at least 2 years.

Other forms of depression include:

Perinatal Depression, is a form of depression experienced by pregnant women. It may extend after delivery, commonly known as Post-Partum Depression.

Psychotic Depression comes with symptoms of psychosis which is a severe form of depression where a patient is delusional and experiences hallucinations.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) entails being in a seasonal depressive state as seasons come and go. It could happen during winter or the onset of spring and summer.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PDD) comes in before or after menses.

Signs and symptoms of depression

I may not be a medical specialist in this area, but there are various common signs and symptoms of depression. Each person’s experience may vary, but you will not lack one or two of these symptoms. It is advisable to seek medical attention whenever you suspect you are going through a depression episode.

Reading personal stories and listening to podcasts of people who have been through depression comes in handy. This book would come in handy. You can also take this test to find out if you are experiencing depression. Better late than sorry and like it is said, prevention is better than cure.

Some of the signs of depression include:

o Prolonged sadness

o Fatigue/ slowed down

o Body aches/ severe headaches

o Hopelessness

o Inability to sleep well/ for long

o Stomach issues/cramps

o Suicidal thoughts

o Loss of appetite/ comfort eating

Here is how a depressed person feels like

Some people may wait for the severe signs of depression to show up. This could cause more damage especially if we are afraid of the stigma that comes with depression. It is good to be aware of how it feels to be depressed.

What depression feels like varies for different people. If you feel any of the following for a significant amount of time, you could be depressed.

Feeling disconnected from family and what is happening in the world. While this may happen to you in a short period, feeling disconnected from the world for more than two weeks is a tale-tale sign that you are depressed. Are you losing interest in social gatherings, going out on the weekend to shake a leg, or even having quality family time? Check yourself again for depression.

When you stop caring– this could be in the form of withdrawal from activities that brought joy to the family, playing with kids, talking with your partner, or being on calls with friends. This indicates that you have stopped caring about relationships and how other people feel.

Low self-esteem- Do you often feel sorry for yourself when you see people on social media happy and doing well? Do you develop envy and a deep in your self-esteem? You could be depressed by where you are in life and feel like you are not good enough. Comparing yourself with other people is a sign of low self-esteem.

Complicated relationship with food– depression may come with loss of appetite or a lot of it. When the appetite level is too high, you will engage in comfort eating which is most likely unhealthy.

Everything feels helpless– depressed people may experience a drowning effect and the feeling that things may not get better. It feels like a dark cloud is hovering over them and there is no light at the end of the tunnel. One may feel like a failure and worthless and may attempt to harm themselves.

Feeling as if there is no joy in life– for a depressed person, time seems to go slower, no pleasure in life. Additionally, one is not excited for the day and their energy is very low.

Waking up tired and drained – when in a depression episode, it may be hard for you to wake up. Snoozing the alarm suddenly becomes normal and will often oversleep with no care in the world. Moreover, you may struggle following your morning routine and doing simple tasks like making your bed.

Unhealthy sleeping patterns– this is characterized by oversleeping or sleeping late. You may also experience insomnia where you struggle to fall asleep.

Physical pain– research shows that it is not unusual for a depressed person to feel physical pain. These can be something from severe headaches, body aches, nausea, or muscle strains.

Final thoughts

Depression is a very serious mental condition and if left to linger for a long time may be disastrous. The signs, symptoms, and what depression feels like may vary from person to person. If you notice a friend, relative or you have such symptoms, seek professional help immediately.

If the depression is mild or seasonal, doing exercises, meditation, or talking to friends may help. Journaling is also very instrumental in calming an anxious mind. 

You could take these enriched gummies to calm your nerves too- professional advisory is recommended. It is however advisable to seek help from a professional to curb the effects of depression in time.