Depression affects everyone differently. Not all people experience the same symptoms, but there are some telltale signs that are very common. If you recognize that you, or someone close to you, have been experiencing some of these symptoms, don’t ignore them. Give voice to your feelings and speak up. No one should, or has to feel this way. Below are some examples of feelings/situations that are often associated with depression:
1. You are always too busy and never have, or take, the time to give yourself the care you need.
2. You feel as though you are running from something; something is eating at you.
3. You keep things that bother you locked up inside, festering and are afraid to speak about disappointment, hurts, fears; you are afraid or express anger. You hold on to grudges for way too long.
4. You can’t ask people for what you need.
5. You find yourself being secretive about your feelings.
6. Your appetite changes. You can’t wait to get home to eat-something, anything and lots of it because it’s the only thing that soothes you. Or you’ve lost your appetite and nothing tastes good to you anymore.
7. You just don’t have energy to do anything and you have to force yourself to do everything.
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8. Everything is so hard that you’re sleeping a lot. It’s difficult to get up. You are afraid to get up.
9. You can’t seem to concentrate—on any one thing. You look at the same piece of paper over and over.
10. You are steadily gaining weight. Self esteem starts to plummet.
11. You are not doing work that brings you joy; you are just working a gig, and holding out for the check.
12. You lose interest in sex and your relationship begins to suffer.
13. You have a persistent, gnawing feeling that something is wrong. And you’re right!
14. People are talking—you know this because their lips are moving—but you have no idea what they are saying. You aren’t even there.
15. You used to care a lot about what you wore; now you just wear anything that fits.
16. You stay home a little too often, cancel plans with friends and stop doing the things that once made you happy. You start calling in sick at least once a month.
17. You feel as though you are at the end of your rope and there’s no way you can face another day.
18. You wonder if you’re having a nervous breakdown.
19. You cry a lot and without warning.
20. Every morning you wake up with crippling anxiety, terrified to get out of bed and face the world.
Anyone can experience depression, regardless of race, gender, age, income—there are no barriers. Depression can rob an individual of enjoyment found in daily life and can even lead to suicide. Myths and stigmas that surround depression within our community create needless pain and confusion. It keeps people from getting the necessary and proper treatment to enable them to heal. Therefore, in most cases the consequences are dire because there was no diagnosis resulting in no treatment.
Excerpt from: Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting by Terrie M. Williams
