We all know what depressed looks like, right? Sad,
despairing, unable to function or get out of bed. But what if different people
show different symptoms?
The symptoms of depression can vary from person to person,
and even in age and gender. Here are seven unusual symptoms to watch out for:
Dr Anne Fabiny, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard
Medical School, says older men often show irritability or grumpiness as a
symptom of depression. “So the stereotype of the grumpy old man could be a sign
of a depressed old man.”
Women can also seem angry when they are actually depressed,
and can lash out unexpectedly, or turn that anger on themselves in a deep
self-hatred.
People with depression often try to overcompensate in social
situations, putting on an extra happy face to cover up their sadness.
- Excessive alcohol and drug use
It is a tricky one to spot, but around a third of people
with depression also have a substance abuse disorder – that is about double the
rate of the general population. It can be an early sign of depression, as
people try to cope with their feelings by drinking or using drugs.
You find it hard to concentrate at work, which leads to
stress and negative thoughts about yourself, which in turn feeds the
depression. Difficulty concentrating, even difficulty following a conversation
or a TV show that you used to love, can be a sign of depression.
Some people notice the physical symptoms before they
recognise the depression. Physical signs of depression can include:
- feeling tired all the time
- being sick and run down
- headaches and muscle pains
- churning gut
- significant weight loss or gain.
If you are having new troubles sleeping, including falling
asleep, and especially waking up before dawn, it could be a sign of depression.
On the flipside, wanting to sleep all day is also one of the symptoms.
Feelings can burst out in unexpected ways with depression,
with some people finding it hard to manage their emotions from one minute to
the next. If you or someone you know is lurching from laughter to crying to
anger to guilt in a short time, it may be a sign of depression.
Losing your temper much more quickly than usual is also a
sign, as are seemingly over-the-top responses, such as crying over a tiny thing
like spilling water or not being able to find a pen.
Even if you are unsure if your recent changes are signs of
depression, it is worth looking into.