When we are feeling depressed, we normally notice it. We may not be enjoying our life as we did before, and feel like there is little hope for us. It is particularly bad if the symptoms last for more than two weeks, as this is a sign of clinical depression.
But how do we know when our loved ones are feeling this way? They may not be forefront in expressing their feelings to us for various reasons. It could be that they don’t want us to worry about them, feel that we have enough problems on our plate, or simply that they think they can handle it without our support.
Most people recognize signs like low mood, sadness, becoming irritable, just to name a few. However, there are some that may not seem obvious as depressive symptoms.
1. Speaking with a low or soft voice. We may misinterpret this as being lazy or tired. But it could be signs of depression. They could also slur their speech, so they may be confused for someone on drugs or alcohol.
2. Losing interest in hobbies. We all get tired of hobbies that we love at times, but completely losing interest in our hobbies can also be a sign of depression. At our lowest, even the things that we love are not fun anymore. Don’t confuse this with getting tired of a hobby. It could be a red flag and something to watch out for.
3. Smiling and feeling happy. Yes, believe it or not, this can be a sign of depression. Smiling Depression is a thing, and can be, of course, misunderstood for being happy. Some people with depression are very good at hiding it and these people often miss out on the vital support they need. They are also at high risk of suicide.
These people may not normally be this happy and, therefore, it could be out of character. They also cannot hide their feelings all the time. Look out for other depressive symptoms such as irritability, sadness, wanting to be alone etc. If you are living close to someone, you should be able to see this, and if you do, have a talk with them and see what is on their mind. That is the first step to getting them the help they need.
I hope this information can help someone close to you.
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https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/smiling-depression
