Signs of Depression You May Not Realize

Very often we are not alert to the changes happening within us. Many things are actually not going normally, yet we ignore them. We assume we are doing fine. So, what are some signs of depression you may not have realized all this time?

Signs of Depression

1. Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much

Have you been sleeping very little lately, or perhaps far too much? Depression is sometimes marked by a weakening of the body's energy. We only want to lie down all day without any desire to do anything. We have no desire to think that there is anything interesting out there.

"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8 

2. You like to blame yourself

Excessive self-criticism creates a lot of pressure within us. Criticizing yourself can be good, but if every time you do something you give yourself harsh criticism afterward, it may be that you are experiencing depression. If everything that goes wrong you consider your fault, if you consider your inability to be your stupidity, then it may be that your inner condition needs fairly intense attention.

3. You often say strange things

"I don't even care whether I'm still alive tomorrow or not."

"When I'm riding a motorcycle, I often think about jumping into the road."

If you yourself, your friends, or the people you love say things like this, it is certain that they are depressed. You may not realize it, but you have already been thinking about the action. Those sentences already explain what you are going through.

4. Things you usually enjoy no longer feel enjoyable

If you usually enjoy singing, then suddenly singing feels boring and karaoke feels like a waste of time, it may be that you are depressed. Sometimes the same thing also applies to our spouse. The one we have adored all this time can suddenly become someone we deeply hate. Actually, the problem is not with our spouse but with the condition of our soul, which is not well. It is not that they have changed, but that our self-confidence is being shaken. It is best to begin reducing the habit of blaming the people around you. Try giving more love to yourself.

"A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit." - Proverbs 15:13

5. Feeling like you are wasting time

You have been busy working all day, doing this and that, yet you still feel that you have not done anything. You feel that talking with your best friend is a waste of time. Then, you feel that enjoying a performance is a waste of time. You feel that taking a short nap to rest your body is a waste of time. And, you feel that you must always work and force yourself to keep moving. Then it is certain that you are depressed. You are not feeling satisfied with yourself, and you keep forcing yourself beyond your limits.

6. Mood swings and overthinking

Have the people around you started complaining because you have been easily angered lately? Does tea with too little sugar trigger your emotions? Do you lash out when you forget to pick up the laundry? Do you immediately shout when someone accidentally says your name wrong? Are you offended when someone comments on your hair? This is one of the signs of depression. You do not feel good enough about your physical appearance. Even a small comment makes you feel as though you are hearing something bad about yourself.

7. Difficulty concentrating and getting tired easily

When reading a book, do you find it hard to understand the contents? Do you often leave things behind anytime and anywhere? It may be that your brain is unable to work optimally because it is filled with too many toxic thoughts. The capacity of our mind, when filled with things that have not happened and things that happened long ago, will leave us with no room to think about the important thing we are doing here and now. We feel tired even when we are not doing anything. That is because we let our mind and soul go to places they should not go.

8. You turn to bad habits to reduce the pressure within you

You tend to do harmful things that eventually make the situation worse or even damage yourself. Using drugs, drinking alcoholic beverages, or smoking excessively are forms of escape from many things your mind cannot process. If you feel you have been consuming something unhealthy for your body to an extreme degree, then you are experiencing severe depression. You are trying to divert your heavy thoughts to other objects or activities.

"Cast your cares on the LORD, and He will sustain you! He will never allow the righteous to be shaken" - Psalm 55:22

9. Illnesses that are hard to explain begin to appear

Sometimes too many illnesses come at the same time. These illnesses are the body's response to stress that has not been handled well. Do you experience migraines repeatedly? Or does your ulcer flare up every time you think too much? Try checking the cause; perhaps this illness often comes when you are tired or when you are holding on to negative emotions about something.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight. Do not consider yourself wise; fear the LORD and turn away from evil; this will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones." - Proverbs 3:5-8 

Never be afraid if you finally realize that you are experiencing depression after seeing the signs of depression above. This is a normal thing in life's journey. Be kind to yourself. Do things you enjoy to comfort yourself. If you feel you need help from others, that is also a very good achievement. Admitting that we need professional help as well as God's help has already healed half of us.