Depression is different from grief or sadness. Grief and sadness come in waves, and generally, you, your self-image, and your worth remain intact. However, depression erodes your self-worth until it is crumbling beneath your feet. To bring more awareness about depression, here a few common signs most people with depression have.
Do you always feel ”lazy”, unmotivated, and uninspired? We also made a video on the signs it’s depression, not laziness:
Disclaimer: The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional.
Writer: Sara Del Villar
Script Editor: Isadora Ho
Script Manager: Kelly Soong
VO: Amanda Silvera
Animator: Nhi Nguyen
YouTube Manager: Cindy Cheong
Resources:
Cartreine, James. “More than Sad: Depression Affects Your Ability to Think.” Harvard Health Blog, Harvard Health, 23 June 2020, www.health.harvard.edu/blog/sad-depression-affects-ability-think-201605069551.
Holland, Kimberly, and Timothy J Legg. “Depression and Anxiety: How to Identify and Treat Coexisting Symptoms.” Healthline, Healthline, 20 June 2018, www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/depression-and-anxiety.
Marks, Tracey. “3 Signs That Most Depressed People Have.” YouTube, MarksPsych, 11 Nov. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXR_EOJrXnQ.
Massey, Alexandra. “Suffering From Depression Unmotivated And Uninspired?” Alexandra, Alexandra-Massey, 12 June 2020, www.alexandramassey.co.uk/post/suffering-from-depression-unmotivated-and-uninspired.
McGlinchey, Joseph B et al. “Diagnosing major depressive disorder VIII: are some symptoms better than others?.” The Journal of nervous and mental disease vol. 194,10 (2006): 785-90. doi:10.1097/01.nmd.0000240222.75201.aa
McIntyre, Roger S et al. “The prevalence, measurement, and treatment of the cognitive dimension/domain in major depressive disorder.” CNS drugs vol. 29,7 (2015): 577-89. doi:10.1007/s40263-015-0263-x
Millan, Mark J et al. “Cognitive dysfunction in psychiatric disorders: characteristics, causes and the quest for improved therapy.” Nature reviews. Drug discovery vol. 11,2 141-68. 1 Feb. 2012, doi:10.1038/nrd3628
Sharpe, Michael, and David Wilks. “Fatigue.” BMJ (Clinical research ed.) vol. 325,7362 (2002): 480-3. doi:10.1136/bmj.325.7362.480
Great Tips To Help You Knock Out That Stress
Many people think that there is nothing that you can do about stress, but there are many practical ideas and tips that can help you cope with the challenge that every day stress brings. Take a look at some of the helpful tips below to see if you can start today to deal with the stress in your life.
Try taking up a hobby to relieve some of your stress. A hobby – whether it’s gardening, building model cars, writing, or whatever – can be a great way for you to forget whatever’s bothering you and just relax and have fun for a bit. Whenever you’re feeling stressed out, take some time to work on your hobby.
A very simple way to reduce stress is to start your day ten or fifteen minutes earlier. By giving yourself that extra few minutes each day, you’ll have time to sit and enjoy your cup of coffee or give you a head start on your commute so you won’t have to battle traffic, therefore reducing your stress level. That extra time also gives you a chance to catch up on things that might not have gotten done the previous day. It’s amazing what a few short minutes each day can do for your stress levels!
A fantastic way to help you keep your stress levels down is to meditate. There are many different ways to meditate. Meditation is great because it helps you forget about all of your worries for the moment. You’ll be able think more clearly just by meditating a little bit each day.
Is your stress level high? Go for a scenic ride! This will help keep your stress level down. Going for a scenic ride is a great way to unwind and to just enjoy nature. Feel the breeze on your face, enjoy the sunshine and see the clear blue sky. See the world while also keeping your stress levels down!
One way to deal with stress in your life is to be sure that you do not take up drinking as a means of dealing with it. This is important because alcohol will only make your life more stressful in one way or another. The only positive effect that it has is possibly dulling your emotions. If you feel that you need a drink, stop and analyze what you are feeling. Try to deal with what stress you identify in a more healthy way. Either tackle the problem itself, engage in some vigorous exercise, or listen to your favorite music – whatever works for you.
You should do everything in your power in order to avoid feeling stressed. Many people think that stress can be a good thing but it actually leads to many types of health problems. The most dangerous of these is heart problems, and it can even eventually lead to heart attacks.
When it comes to dealing with stress, you may wish to join an online group that deals with whatever is causing the stress in your life. This is important because there is a lot of help online and a lot of people who can provide many different angles of help that may just work for you.
A great tip that can help you relieve a lot of stress is to stop being so hard on yourself. Don’t beat yourself up over every little mistake that you make. You have to be able to accept that we are all human and that we all make mistakes.
While it is difficult to imagine an entirely stress-free existence, this kind of life is by no means a myth. Focus on things that stress you out, and figure out ways to remove them from your life. This can, in time, lead to a much less stressful existence.
If you eat foods that have a lot of carbohydrates, your body will release serotonin. This is your body’s natural relaxing chemical. So if you’re feeling stressed, munch on some crackers, pretzels, a bagel, or other snacks that have a lot of carbohydrates in them. This will help your body naturally relax itself.
A good tip that can help you keep your stress levels down is to stop comparing yourself to everyone that you meet. If you’re always worried about what other people have and what you don’t have, you’ll never be happy. All you can do is focus on yourself.
A fun tip to remember when dealing with stress is to listen to music. Although you may not think so, listening to your favorite music can actually provide you with energy. Listening to music lifts your spirits and makes you happier, which is a great combatant for stress.
If you’re stressed out often, a good way to reduce your stress is to get a pet. Playing with animals is proven to reduce stress and release endorphins in the brain, making you happier and healthier. Cats, dogs, birds, lizards, and any number of other animals can be a great way to de-stress your life.
A great tip that can help you fight stress is to take the day off and go to the zoo. The zoo is great because you’ll be closer to nature and you’ll get to be around a lot of people that are just having fun. Going to the zoo can be a great stress reliever.
To reduce the amount of stress hormones in your body, find ways to laugh! Laughter has been proven to be one of the best defenses the body has against stress. Try keeping a few funny jokes, pictures, or videos on-hand so that you can look at them when you’re feeling burnt out. You’ll be surprised at how much better a little laughter makes you feel.
As you realize from the practical advice in the article above, there are many things that you can learn about handling the stress that comes your way. Start today to use this sound advice and you will be on your way to facing the challenges that come with dealing with the stressful situations in your life.
Christopher Conway, the innovative mind behind “Love Blueprints,” is a seasoned relationship expert and author. His insightful guidance, drawn from years of experience and study, offers transformative strategies for modern love and dating. Christopher’s commitment to enhancing romantic connections has made “Love Blueprints” a go-to resource for those navigating the complexities of relationships.