Khaberni - Depression is linked to a consistent low mood, feelings of despair, frequent crying, disinterest in previously important activities, cravings for sweets, weight gain, back pain, and constipation.
However, there is actually a long list of not completely clear symptoms that are often attributed to physiological issues, but at the same time may indicate mental health disorders, particularly depression:
Changes in appetite and weight: A person might start eating more or less food, especially drawn to "comfort" foods like sweets and fatty food. Previously favored foods may become undesirable, and there might be a sudden increase or decrease in weight.
Lack of sleep or excessive sleeping: Depression might prevent sleep or make it shallow and intermittent, or make it difficult to get out of bed in the morning. The affected individual might suffer from insomnia or sleep most of the day, yet in both scenarios feel lethargic and drowsy during wakefulness.
Loss of sexual desire: Sexual desire may decrease due to a chemical imbalance in the brain linked to low levels of the pleasure hormones, dopamine and serotonin.
Psychomotor retardation: The person begins to think, speak, and move more slowly than usual, making daily tasks like showering, brushing teeth, and cooking difficult. This condition is known as "psychomotor retardation" and may be linked to a decrease in dopamine levels.
Psychomotor agitation: In some cases, depression increases the speed of movement and thinking instead of slowing it down; the person moves and speaks quickly, their thoughts accelerate, and they suffer from insomnia and anxiety, unable to relax, and are continuously tense. This agitation increases the risk of suicidal thoughts.
Difficulty making decisions: Depression negatively affects mental abilities, and the afflicted may have trouble concentrating, clearly expressing themselves, and even in making simple decisions in everyday situations.
Constipation or diarrhea: Depression can affect normal bowel function; some people experience slower digestion leading to constipation, while it accelerates in others causing diarrhea.
Various body pains: Back, abdominal, leg, or arm pains not linked to any organic cause may be a sign of depression. It can stem from constant stress causing muscle tension in different areas.
Lack of energy: Most people with depression complain of constant fatigue and lack of energy.
Severe mood swings: Depression does not necessarily mean continuous sadness; the affected person may go through strong alternating feelings like irritability, anger, nervousness, panic, sadness, and crying spells, and may become less tolerant of others.
Emotional numbness: Some affected individuals lose interest in hobbies and everything that used to make them happy, feeling emotionally numb and incapable of feeling any strong emotions.
Desire for isolation: Depression pushes the person to avoid mingling with friends and family, and withdraw from the social activities they previously enjoyed.
Forced smiles: In some cases, the affected person tries to hide their condition with an exaggerated smile, pretending that everything is fine, while their actual situation is completely different behind this facade.
