The surprising signs of depression
Depression is a prevalent mental illness. According to World Health Organisation, worldwide 5% people suffer from depression. Depression is the leading cause of disability globally and a significant contributor to the global illness burden. Find out some unusual signs of depression:
Shopping sprees: Do you shop too much? Do you hide your spending? For some depressed people, excessive shopping in stores or online may be a distraction or boost their self-esteem.
Drinking heavily: A third of persons with significant depression drink. If you drink to cope with worry or despair, you may be one of them.
Forgetfulness: Depression may cause forgetfulness. Prolonged depression or stress has been shown to boost cortisol levels impairing the memory and learning area of the brain.
Excessive internet use: Want to avoid real-life social interactions? Do you spend too much time online? It may indicate depression. Over-using the Internet tends to lead to pornographic, social networking, and gaming sites.
Binge eating and obesity: Research revealed that depressed young individuals gained extra weight around their waist, increasing their risk of heart disease. Also, depression has been related to binge eating, especially in middle age.
Shoplifting: Depressed persons who shoplift value their sentiments over the object they stole. For some depressed people, theft gives them a sense of power and importance.
Back pain: Won't backache go away? Studies show that 42% of persons with persistent lower back pain are depressed.
Risky sexual behaviour: Depression is more commonly associated with lost libido than increased interest in sex. But some people use sex to cope with depression or stress. It can also be an indication of mania in bipolar disorder.
Exaggerated emotions: Depressed persons often display little emotion. However, they can also show too much. They might be impatient or eruptive. They may be overly gloomy, sad, worried, or fearful. Some feel worthless or guilty excessively or inappropriately. That is the key. Depression may produce hyper emotion in someone who usually is non-emotional.
Problem gambling: Gambling may get you pumped up. Gambling more than recreationally might cause depression or gambling addiction.
Smoking: Need help quitting? Depressed people are more likely to smoke. Research shows depressed smokers often consume more than a pack a day and start smoking within 5 minutes of waking up. However, they can quit smoking if they are depressed.
Not taking care of yourself: The seatbelt has nothing to do with depression. Simple self-care becomes neglected due to sadness or poor self-esteem.
Depression is a frequent primary care illness that goes undetected and untreated. Untreated depression has a significant death risk. Most people with depression report vague inexplicable symptoms.
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