Get to know the common depression symptoms before it’s too late

I’m very concerned about some of the health issues that are on the rise in today’s world. Some of the common health issues that are rising are diabetes, cancer (even the ones that do not smoke or consume tobacco, have started showing signs of Cancer), obesity, Asthma and many more. The positives about these health issues is that these can be cured, once diagnosed. But there are several mental issues that cannot be cured or diagnosed. Even though, we’re in the Generation Z, there’s a lack of knowledge required to understand the signs and symptoms of mental issues present in oneself or the person around oneself.

Most of us looked upto the Linkin’ Park band as an inspiration, especially it’s singer Late Chester Bennington. We hummed to his song lyrics, not realizing, he wrote them, when he was depressed. We got to know about his depression only when he took away his life. There are many celebrities including another one of our favourite – Robin Williams. Who could have known, that a man who makes everyone laugh through his comedy could be so depressed in his life? Well, being famous has nothing to do with depression or any other mental illness. Anyone can suffer from depression, in fact the current state is such that, majority of population does go through it at one point or the other during their life. Some realize the signs and symptoms of depression and are treated while the others get so deep into the darkness that the only cure they find to end depression is by ending their life.

Celebrities like Deepika Padukone, Beyonce, my inspiration J.K Rowling, Agatha Christie had been diagnosed with depression as well. The only difference is, they either found out that they were depressed and had the courage to talk about it and wanted to cure it. We as Indians, are raised in such an environment, that most of us find it difficult to talk about depression with our parents, just like we don’t talk about sex openly with them and tend to change the channels even if there’s and ad of condom flashing on our TV screens. The pressure of studies on us is so much that we find difficult to cope up with it that we decide to end up our lives. Recent statistics by WHO shows that nearly 4.5% of India’s population suffers from depression.

Today, I dare to write about this topic not because I want to be ranked on Google search engine for my article, but because, I have gone through it, and know how difficult it becomes for one to survive when depressed. I wasn’t aware of my depression, until the same guy Raj, an online friend and a huge crush of mine, pointed it out. He was very keen in knowing why I behaved so weirdly around people and through the symptoms and signs that he noticed in my behavior, he could tell that I was depressed. I wouldn’t have dared to consult a psychiatrist or psychologist to find out that I was depressed. I probably would have continued being a depressed soul for lifetime and would have ended my life too, if I’d not have been able to handle the state of my mind any further.

So the signs and symptoms that Raj could point out in me varied from loss of interest in everything. I’m a movie buff, as mentioned somewhere in my bio. I had lost interest in watching movies at one point of time in my life. I didn’t take any efforts in buying a ticket for the much awaited movie of the year – Bahubali. Imagine the loss of interest I had undergone. I also had work related stress, where I had accidentally found out that my bosses were planning to terminate me. That led to lack of concentration and I couldn’t even give 50% attention at my work. This stress had led to disturbance in my sleeping schedule as well, which resulted in reporting late at work, which made my bosses even more confident in firing me with a handy reason. I wish I could speak up openly about it to them and get things under control, but I had no guts to talk about my depression to anyone. I had mood swings every second minute, leading to losing the confidence of my colleagues. I loved keeping myself isolated, one of the reasons no one could tell I was depressed is the fact that most people know that I am an introvert. But during this phase, I had stopped going out and enjoying completely. I am not a person who supports alcohol as such, but that the only way I could keep myself away from the pain I was feeling within me. I cannot forget to mention the suicidal thoughts I had during this phase, immediately after I was asked to leave my job. It felt like, sadness was the only friend I had, in my times of depression. But thanks to Raj, who noted down the signs and symptoms in me and pointed them out. After that, he helped me come out of this phase too. Not that I am not depressed while I am writing this (online tests confirm that I have mild depression still), but I am in a better state than I once was in. Raj would ask me to take some online psychology tests and with the results, he would suggest me to concentrate on the positive traits that came out from the test and work on them. It seems like he had entered my life, only to help me out during my difficult phase, as I wouldn’t have dared to speak about it with anyone. In fact, I wouldn’t have been aware of how depressed I was until someone came and pointed it out. Today we’re not in touch anymore, but I am really grateful to whatever bit of help that he had provided me.

The truth is that, he could find the symptoms of depression in me, because he had been through depression himself. So, my advice to everyone reading this long article on depression by me, is that, read about the signs of depression as much as you can. Few of them I have mentioned here, that were the symptoms in me. Others you can always Google them. I know when you’re depressed, you’re in no state to understand that you’re depressed, so the best way is to consult a psychologist or a psychiatrist or even your family for that matter.

It is high time that we act upon it. Be open about it and help each other to come out of it. I have done my part of reaching the larger amount of audience, by writing this and conveying the signs and symptoms of depression. However, listing them down below for your reference and help.

Signs & Symptoms of depression –

1. Like being alone
2. Frustrated
3. Mood swings (happen in bipolar depression)
4. Low self-worth or lack of confidence
5. Reliance on drugs/alcohol
6. Suicidal thoughts (which may turn into suicidal attempts, if the depression is a major type)
7. Loss of interest
8. Disturbed sleep timings and appetite 

There are also many online service providers that help in such matters, in case you are not comfortable in consulting a psychologist or a psychiatrist. Below is the list of some good counselling service providers in India. Please feel free to get in touch with any of them.

Best Online Depression Counselling Providing Services in India –

https://yourdost.com/

https://www.hopenetwork.in/online-counseling

https://www.juno.clinic/psychological-therapy-for/depression-online-counselling

These are few websites I found to be trustworthy. I will keep updating the list as an when I find others. With a hope in my heart, that me sharing my story (which made this article a little too lengthy to read and I am extremely sorry for that, but any kind of help provided to cure someone is only going to make me happy), as well as some helpful websites apart from the signs and symptoms will help you or your loved one to cure this mental health issue known as depression. 

Remember one thing, it is all in your head, and when you learn this, it will not be difficult for you to fight your depression or any disease for that matter. Cure is always possible. Keeping you all in my prayers.