Demystifying Depression

Let's talk about something we've all heard about but might not fully understand – depression. It can be tricky to recognize depression in ourselves and others, because what we commonly think of as "depression" might not cover all the bases.

We often associate depression with feeling sad, but there's more to the story. In my time working with clients, I've noticed that sometimes people downplay their own very real depressive symptoms because they don't match up with the typical image of someone who's “feeling blue” or “down in the dumps.”

Depression isn't just about being sad. It can make you feel numb, flat, or simply exhausted. It can show up in unexpected ways in your mind, body, and habits. The problem is, because the term "depression" is a bit fuzzy, folks might not recognize what's really going on.

Therapists and doctors use the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, 2013) to make diagnoses for our clients and patients.  According to this manual, if you’re experiencing things like a dip in interest or pleasure, changes in weight or appetite, troubled sleep patterns, unintentional pacing, or even a slowdown in thoughts and movements, you may be dealing with a form of clinical depression.

Feeling worthless or guilty, struggling with concentration, and having recurrent thoughts about death are also on the list of depression symptoms. 

Some of these symptoms could be misconstrued by yourself or by others as being connected to a physical illness, a poor attitude, or laziness. When this misunderstanding occurs, it creates a barrier to treatment and support, and could even make the problem worse.

If you are recognizing any of the symptoms described here, reach out to explore the root of the problem and get the help you need!