Now I want to make this very clear. This is not a diagnosis. There are many other things these symptoms could indicate. If you are worried about any changes you have noticed or feel something is not quite right, please speak to a GP.
I want to make a blog post around this topic as depression is often spoken about as sadness and not getting out of bed. If you find yourself struggling in your day to day life, it might be good to speak to a professional.
Aches and pains
While researching for this post, I came across this symptom that I wasn’t aware of.
Muscle aches can be an indicator of psychological distress. While research in this area is limited, there have been some recent studies suggesting a direct link between muscle ache and depression. Click here, here and here for more information. Obviously muscle aches can be the result of a number of different ailments, but keep an eye on any other symptoms that may present.
Can’t make up your mind
Having trouble making the simplest of decisions? It could be fear of making the wrong one, it could be low self-esteem. It could be depression. Depression can cause cognitive impairments such as an effect on decision making and memory. There has been a lot of research looking into this, I feel like I have linked a lot of articles in this blog, so I would really encourage you to go out and do some more research.
You find yourself up at night
You often here tales of people that stay in bed all day with the curtains closed, which can happen. However, insomnia and trouble getting to sleep/staying asleep can be a sign of depression. Bad quality sleep can lead to lack of concentration, irritability and lower cognitive functioning.
Your toilet habits have suddenly changed
Believe it or not, there is a well documented connection between mental health issues and digestive issues. See here, here and here. When it comes to depression, research suggests that constipation and abdominal pain are symptoms to be aware of.
Change in diet, medication, lifestyle change or stress can be factors that contribute to changes in the way your digestive system functions. Again, just keep an eye on it and if it persists, see your GP. Depression or not, it maybe an indicator of other health issues.
You find yourself getting irritated over the little things
Do you find yourself getting angry at the smallest inconvenience? Are you becoming noticeably more irritable? Irritability and anger are commonly overlooked when it comes to depression. There are documented cases of people going years without getting a diagnosis, discussed here. One idea is based on Freud’s theory that depression is anger turned inwards, however other believe that this is a simplistic approach.
There are other conditions that cause people to be quick to anger, however if you find yourself in this position, I would advise speaking with someone. Unresolved maladaptive anger can develop into further issues.
So if you find yourself with any of these symptoms, it may be worth looking into. Depression or not, it might indicate underlying issues, so don’t tell yourself it’s nothing or make an excuse. You might find that a trip to the doctor can make everyday that little easier.
Life With A 