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How Depression Can Affect Different Aspects of Your Life
The unfortunate truth is that we seem to be living in a kind of modern epidemic of mental illness. Whether simply because of higher awareness and recognition, or because the unique pressures of modern times are more likely to bring out such things in people, the fact remains that depression is at an all-time high. It is very possible that you will suffer from depression at least once in your life. If or when that occurs, what will it look like?
Relationships
Some of the most damaging symptoms of depression include a lack of energy, a lack of motivation, a sense of apathy, and an inability to find enjoyment in things or hobbies that you previously loved.
These kinds of feelings can wreak havoc on your most precious resource in the struggle against depression – your relationships. Even if your loved ones may want to help you, they may not know how to communicate that well. Your sense of apathy may seem like rejection, or maybe it really will be – if you feel misunderstood and alone, you may not want to open up to anyone. If you feel you have no one you can open up to and trust, please seek professional help.
Sleep
The symptoms of depression extend well beyond simply how you feel. You may find yourself constantly exhausted and with a highly irregular sleep schedule. It affects everyone differently – so some may be sleeping far more than normal, and others may find themselves struggling to sleep properly at all. You might wake up already tired. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to try and improve your sleep-related symptoms; cultivating good sleep hygiene and buying sleep aids or better mattresses can help.
Quality Sleep reminds us that a memory foam mattress will conform to the shape of your body, and thus provide better full-body support while sleeping.
Self-Image
The most nefarious side-effect of depression is the way it attacks how you feel about yourself and your life. According to Healthy Place, you may start to feel or believe you are worthless. Your deteriorating mental health may make you believe you are not worthy to have the friends and family that you do. You may feel that life is not worth living and begin to have suicidal thoughts or fantasies. If this becomes the case, it is essential that you seek professional help. The right therapist can genuinely work wonders. If your depression is chronic you may also want to consider medication.
Remember: regardless of how you feel in a given moment, you are loved and are important. Your relationships are precious and real. There always is hope – and things do get better. Be on the lookout for symptoms so that you can be prepared if or when depression arrives.
Check out this article on
the signs that you should start seeing a therapist!