Symptoms of Depression You Could Never Guess

We have all been there at one time or another.

17:37 04 March 2021

Many of us have encountered moments of temporary sadness triggered by unpleasant life experiences, such as family problems, financial problems, or the passing of a loved one. Generally speaking, such moments of sorrow are only short-lived and seldom disrupt our lives too severely. However, the same cannot be said for those who suffer from a major depressive disorder, which, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, is the case for about 17 million American adults. While they can be made worse by them, major depressive disorders are not the result of adverse events in one's life but instead changes in their brain chemistry.

 

And this can be a sudden or gradual decline in serotonin, dopamine, or norepinephrine levels. Although feelings of sadness and hopelessness are the most common symptoms of a major depressive disorder, there are many others. Unfortunately, they are not always easy to recognize and are sometimes, mistakenly, confused with mere temporary sadness, say most mental health professionals.

 

Shedding Light on What It Means to Have a Major Depressive Disorder

 

Before detailing some of the less common signs of a major depressive disorder, we should probably take a moment to go over some of the different types since there are quite a few variants. Some of the most frequently diagnosed major depressive disorders in the United States, and perhaps globally, include the following:

 

Major depression - This form of depression denotes feeling depressed most of the day for two or more weeks. Further, it is a type of depression that impedes one's ability to engage in normal day-to-day activities, such as going to work, interacting with friends and family, sleeping, eating, and the like.

 

Persistent depressive disorder – Also referred to as dysthymia, persistent depressive disorder is a state of chronic low-level depression lasting two or more years. This particular disorder can be the result of genetics, changes in brain chemistry, or environmental factors. Much like major depression, those who suffer from persistent depressive disorder often lose interest in interacting with friends and family, sleeping, eating, and many other normal day-to-day activities.

 

When coupled with certain life events, changes in brain chemistry can also give way to very distinct depressive disorders, including

 

Psychotic depression – Indeed, this major depressive disorder is every bit as troubling as it sounds in that it is a severe form of depression accompanied by psychotic features, namely hallucinations, delusions, or paranoia. And treatment will almost always require hospitalization. Studies show that individuals with a substance abuse problem are at a high risk of suffering from psychotic depression. Some of the drugs known to trigger psychotic depression, due to how they alter brain chemistry, include the following:

 

• Alcohol
  
  
• Cocaine
  
  
• Amphetamines
  
  
• Methamphetamines
  
  
• MDMA (ecstasy)
  
  
• Marijuana
  
  
• LSD
  
  
• Psilocybin
  
  
• Ketamine

 

It is worth pointing out that individuals who suffer from psychotic depression, especially those with a substance abuse problem, are a danger to themselves and others. And this has a lot to do with the fact that psychotic depression tends to go hand-in-hand with suicidal and homicidal ideations.

 

Perinatal Depression – This distinct depressive disorder is specific to women and can occur during pregnancy or shortly after giving birth. Perinatal depression generally stems from hormonal changes in a woman's body, namely a decline in estrogen and progesterone. And this is important to note since a drop-off in either of these two hormones can significantly alter dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain.

 

Additional Causes of Depression: What You Should Know About Low Growth Hormone Levels and Depression

 

Much like in women, hormonal changes can also be a contributing factor in depression in men. And this is especially true when it comes to a human growth hormone (HGH) deficiency. Along with playing a critical role in regulating metabolism, body temperature, sleep, stress, and sexual reproduction, human growth hormones are equally involved in cognitive function insofar as they help regulate overall mood. In short, a decline in growth hormone production, which can stem from aging, damage to the pituitary gland or hypothalamus, or even certain kinds of medical treatments involving the use of radiation, for example, can spike cortisol production in the body. In fact, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, a peer-reviewed medical journal, revealed a possible causal relationship between high cortisol levels and depression.

 

Surprising Symptoms of Depression: The Hidden Signs of One of the Most Common Mental Health Disorders

 

As previously stated, some signs of depression are not always the most obvious. Aside from constant crying and prolonged feelings of sadness and hopelessness, individuals who are suffering from any of the major depressive disorders detailed in this article will generally exhibit the following:

 

Excessive sleep – While getting enough sleep is essential for good overall health, sleeping too much is another matter entirely in that it can be a sign of depression. According to Michelle Drerup, a sleep psychologist and Director of Behavioral Sleep Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Sleep Disorders Center, excessive sleep is a symptom in 15 percent of all cases involving depression. That said, a healthy sleep duration for adult men and women is between 7 and 9 hours, according to the National Sleep Foundation.

 

Agitation – Most will agree that becoming agitated in the face of an argument with friends, family, or even strangers is not at all unusual. However, exhibiting such behavior for no apparent reason could point to what is known as "agitated" depression. Much like psychotic depression, individuals who suffer from agitated depression often tend to have suicidal and homicidal ideations. In essence, this depressive disorder triggers strong and often uncomfortable feelings that can cause some people to feel trapped, which, in turn, triggers a "fight or flight" response.

 

Withdrawing from friends and family – For those not aware, studies show that isolation and depression can, indeed, coexist. Most individuals who suddenly start to distance themselves from their friends and family members are usually struggling with some form of depression, especially if there wasn't an adverse event involving those friends or family members that contributed to them doing so.

 

Changes in eating habits – Another one of the many hidden signs of depression is a sudden change in eating habits. And this can be either overeating or a complete loss of appetite. According to Gary Kennedy, a medical doctor and director of geriatric psychiatry at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, depression that results in changes in eating habits is quite common among elderly individuals.

 

Muscle and joint pain – Experiencing occasional muscle and joint pain, especially in middle-age and beyond, is not uncommon. However, it can point to varying forms of depression if it becomes a long-term affair. It is also worth noting that chronic fatigue often accompanies muscle and joint pain among those who are depressed.

 

How to Avoid Depressive Conditions

 

While genetics and hormonal imbalances, not to mention changes in brain chemistry, can predispose individuals to major depressive disorders, there are ways to reduce the chances of it happening. And much of it has to do with making healthy lifestyle choices. Studies show that individuals who consume a well-balanced diet, exercise regularly, and maintain a relatively stress-free life are less likely to suffer from a major depressive disorder. Further, limiting alcohol consumption and not using illicit drugs can also help in this regard. Of course, if depression has already invaded your life, it would be a good idea to seek help from a mental health professional as soon as feasibly possible.