Seven Habits You Are Unaware of As a Deeply Depressed Person

You may think that depression is simply feeling sad all the time, but it is much more than that. Depression is a serious mental illness that can cause a wide range of symptoms, including changes in mood, sleep, appetite, energy levels, and concentration.

Unfortunately, depression is often misunderstood and stigmatized.

While depression can manifest itself in different ways, there are some common habits that many people who are suffering from depression do not realize they have fallen into.

Here are seven habits you are unaware of as a deeply depressed person.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or mental health professional. Consult with your doctor for medical opinions or advice.

You Fake Moods to Hide Your Depression

You might have learned to hide your feelings because you think other people won’t understand what you’re feeling. Or you might have been taught that feelings are bad and that you need to hide them. You’re not alone if you hide your depression.

Depressed people are often very good at hiding their pain from the world. They wear a mask of happiness, even when they’re feeling anything but happy. They don’t want anyone to know how much they’re hurting inside because they’re afraid of being judged or pitied.

Your Mind Jumps to the Worst Things That Could Happen

If you’re often assuming the worst, you’re probably not even aware that you’re doing it. It’s easy to recognize this in other people but harder to see it in yourself, but this is one of the most common symptoms of depression and can be very hard to control. Every time something bad happens, or even if something just doesn’t go according to plan, your mind immediately starts racing to the worst possible outcome. This can make it difficult to enjoy even the simplest things in life.

You Have Trouble Turning Off Your Brain

Many people who suffer from depression have a hard time turning off their brain. You might find yourself thinking about the same thing over and over again or trying to solve a problem that has no solution.

You Tend to Withdraw from Social Activities

Depression can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can in turn cause you to withdraw from social activities. Even if you’re not consciously aware of it, you may find yourself avoiding friends and family members, as well as any other activities that you once enjoyed.

You Have the Ability to Empathize When Others Are Hurting

When you’re depressed, you know what it feels like to hurt. You know what it feels like to be in pain. As a result, you often feel a deep sense of empathy for others who are going through tough times. You want to help them because you know how much it hurts to be in their shoes.

You Experience Fatigue and Have Trouble Sleeping

Most people are familiar with the common symptoms of depression, such as feelings of sadness, loneliness, and hopelessness. However, depression can also cause physical symptoms that are often overlooked. Fatigue is a very common physical symptom of depression. People with depression often find it difficult to get out of bed in the morning or to get through the day without feeling exhausted. This fatigue can be caused by a number of factors, including changes in brain chemistry and sleep patterns. Depression can also make it difficult to fall asleep or to stay asleep, leading to further fatigue.

You Have Trouble Concentrating Making Work Difficult

Depression is a serious illness that can have a profound impact on every aspect of your life. Depression can make it very difficult to focus on anything, including work, school, or even simple tasks like reading or watching television. You may cancel plans often, or A LOT, if you struggle with depression; you may even tend to cancel plans last minute — even if you were looking forward to the occasion. As a result, many people with depression find it difficult to hold down a job.

People Who Are Depressed Generally Have Good Personality Traits

Depression doesn’t change who you are as a person; it just makes it more difficult for you to express these positive traits. Contrary to the popular belief, people who are depressed tend to have genuinely good personality traits.

According to Dr. Natalie Christine Dattilo, “Often, a person who has experienced the lows of depression may find themselves more deeply appreciative of the ‘highs’ of life,” — written by Dr. Natalie Christine Dattilo, read more here.

Depressed people also tend to have the following personality traits including being empathetic, thoughtful, compassionate, introverted and having a strong sense of morals and values. If you are struggling with depression today, it is important to remember that depression is not who you are.

Conclusion

If you are depressed, you are not alone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression affects more than 16 million adults in the United States each year. But there is hope. With treatment, most people with depression can get better. If you are suffering from depression, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.

References and More Information:

10 Ways Depression Can Be Good for You I Psych Central

26 ‘Habits’ of People With Depression (themighty.com)

15 Real Habits of People with Concealed Depression — Columbia Wellness

10 Bad Habits of People With Depression (themighty.com)

10 Bad Habits of a Depressed/Anxious Person — Unruly Neurons

Originally published here!

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