What Does Depression Feel Like?

While it may be common to hear someone flippantly say that something is depressing, this should not be conflated with actual depression. Depression is a serious and undiagnosed mental illness that can completely derail a person’s life. One of the problems involved in diagnosing and treating this pervasive illness is that it can often be difficult to discern between depression and transitory feelings of sadness or grief experienced in life. A depression treatment program can tackle the question: what does depression feel like?

Symptoms of Depression

One way to tell the difference between depression and normal healthy feelings of sadness and disappointment is whether or not someone has a reason that they can articulate for the feelings. However, this does not hold true for all those who are suffering from the illness. The experience of depression can vary wildly, but there are some general symptoms that might indicate someone should be evaluated for depression.

Symptoms of chronic depression include:

• Loss of enjoyment in pleasurable activities
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feelings of hopelessness and low self-esteem
• Problems sleeping or staying awake
• Inexplicable fatigue and exhaustion
• Drastic fluctuation in weight

However, these are symptoms that are observable and not the feelings of depression itself. The actual feeling of depression may take many forms for different people.

Causes of Depression

One of the biggest misunderstandings concerning depression is that it is a choice or that it is caused by events experienced in life. In reality, it is a disorder affecting the balance of mood-inducing chemicals in the brain. There are certain factors that can incite or exacerbate depression for a period of time.

For example, women commonly experience postpartum depression for a period of time after childbirth. Genetics play a big role, as mood disorders of all kinds can run in families. Some medical conditions such as hormonal imbalances, diabetes, heart disease, and chronic pain disorders have also been linked with depression.

Drug an alcohol abuse is also closely linked with depression, although this may just as likely be a symptom as people suffering from depression may be attempting to self-medicate just to function in life.

What Does Depression Feel Like?

The feeling of being depressed is different than the feelings associated with sadness, although the outward affect people notice may be the same. It can also be completely invisible to others, making the person suffering from it feel even more alone.

In fact, it is rarely a comparable experience to sadness or discouragement, but rather a fit of anger that has nothing to focus on. This turbulent emotional state can make it impossible to carry on with relationships, careers, or even daily tasks. Simple chores like housework or personal hygiene become feats that require enormous investments of energy.

In general, experiencing this for more than two weeks can be sufficient for a diagnosis of mild depression, but major bouts of depression can endure for years. It is important to get mental health treatment.

Have you been struggling with depression or substance abuse disorders? A top-flight depression treatment program is a part of our therapeutic model at Beaches Recovery. Call us at 866.605.0532 to learn what does depression feel like and find help.