7 Common Effects of Depression: What You Need to Know
Learn how to recognise the signs and symptoms of depression and get help if you need it.
Have you ever experienced feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed? If so, you may be familiar with the debilitating effects of depression. It's a condition that affects millions of people in the US, and we cannot underestimate its impact on daily life.
The experience of depression is a very big topic. In this post, I thought it would be helpful to explore some of the common effects people challenged with depression have experienced. You may be familiar with one or more of these effects. After reading this post, I encourage you to share your thoughts! Post to social media, tagging @officialmadeupmind. Let's share in this discussion together.
Whether you or someone you love is experiencing depression, learning about the common effects of this condition can help us build a foundation of compassion and support.
So, let's delve into the seven common effects of depression and shed light on this often-misunderstood condition.
What exactly is depression?
Clinically, depression is defined as "a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act." According to the American Psychiatric Association, "depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed." It can cause mental and physical problems, as well as a reduction in your capacity to operate at work and at home."
Some common effects of depression…
Keep in mind that depression is a complicated mental health disorder that looks different in different people. However, there are many prevalent mental health issues related to depression. Here are a few examples:
1. Persistent negative thoughts and feelings
People with depression may experience a persistent feeling of sadness or emptiness, along with negative thoughts and feelings such as hopelessness, worthlessness, guilt, and helplessness.
According to award-winning psychotherapist Maggie Morrow, persons who are depressed may engage in a process known as 'dampening.' Dampening occurs when a person suppresses pleasant emotions. They tend to believe they are unworthy of happiness, or they focus on the fact that whatever joy they have will soon disappear. Although this is used to protect against disappointment, it causes more harm than good.
Tips to talk about your troubles: If you are experiencing persistent negative thoughts and feelings, talking about your experience with an expert you can trust can be really helpful. If you’re struggling with how to bring it up, maybe these examples could be useful!
“Hey, I’ve been battling with this feeling of hopelessness lately, and I’m wondering if you have any tips or recommendations of what to do?”
“So I know I’m amazing, right? Like ‘I am loved,’ and ‘I am worthy’ and all that. But what do I do when I’m genuinely feeling worthless, you know? Like how can I shake this feeling?”
“Lately I’ve been complaining a lot. Life has been really hard, and I’m wondering if there is anything I can do to make it better. How can I build a better outlook on things?”
2. Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Depression can make it challenging to focus on tasks, remember information, or make decisions – sometimes regardless of whether those decisions are usually easy or difficult to make.
James Cartreine, PhD is a clinical psychologist and an Instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. On the topic of depression, he notes that one of the larger concerns about clinical depression is its literal ability to change the way you think. In a post to Harvard Health Publishing, he mentions that it can “impair your attention and memory, as well as your information processing and decision-making skills.”
Tips to talk about your troubles: If you’re experiencing difficulty concentrating or making decisions and you’re concerned that it may be related to depression, consider one or more of these examples for inspiration on how to discuss with someone who can help.
“Lately, I’ve been feeling really indecisive. Like, it’s difficult to make decisions with confidence or in a timely manner. I’m concerned about how it makes me feel, and I’m wondering what I can do about it. Do you have any suggestions?”
“Hey, so I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but I’ve been having some trouble remembering things lately. Like regular and important things alike. Not sure where this started – I just know it’s made a noticeable difference in some areas of my life. What should I do?”
3. Insomnia or hypersomnia
Depression can affect sleep patterns, leading to either difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia) or excessive sleep (hypersomnia).
Seeing the link between depression and changes in sleep patterns can be tricky sometimes, especially considering that there are a lot of different things that can affect your sleep. I mean, some days I’m just overworked, and then other days I just have a lot on my mind. I’ve been in a place where depression and changes in my sleep patterns were connected. Something I found interesting was the relationship between changes in sleep patterns and depression. Here’s what Katie Hurley, LCSW has said about this:
“Research shows sleep deprivation and depression have a bidirectional relationship. This means that poor sleep may contribute to the development of depression, and depression can lead to sleep disorders.” – Is It Sleep Deprivation or Depression?
Tips to talk about your troubles: If you’ve been dealing with changes in your sleep, and you’re concerned about what this might mean for your mental health, here are some ways you might be able to communicate your concern.
“I’ve been oversleeping a lot since [insert major life moment] happened. I don’t like the way it’s affecting my work/studies/relationships. What are some ways that I can get a handle on this?”
“Eight hours of sleep? I don’t know her. It seems like no matter what I do, I always find myself lying awake at night, struggling to get any real rest. How can this be resolved so that it doesn’t impact me any further?”
4. Decreased interest or pleasure in activities
People with depression may lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, have a reduced or otherwise impaired sex drive, or experience a general lack of pleasure.
Here’s another common effect of depression to be aware of. A more commonly known name of the experience of decreased interest or pleasure in activities is known as emotional flatlining, or anhedonia. Maya Johansson, LMFT acknowledges it as one of the leading symptoms of depression, and encourages all those who suffer to remember that it is possible to lead a joyful life again.
Tips to talk about your troubles: Are you struggling to find interest or pleasure in activities that would normally bring you joy or happiness? Here are some ways you might be able to discuss how you’re feeling with someone you can trust.
“Hey. I’ve been having a hard time finding joy lately. It seems like the things I would normally enjoy are no fun anymore, and I’m not exactly sure what happened, or how to go about enjoying my life again.”
“Something's off. I can feel it. Life isn’t hitting the way it used to. I’m not having fun anymore. I don’t feel joy the way I used to. I’m concerned about what this means for me, and I want to know what I can do to make things better.”
5. Fatigue and lack of energy
Depression can cause fatigue and a feeling of being physically drained, even after mild exertion.
According to Walter Griffith, MD of Dr. TMS Therapy, “Clinical research shows that over 90% of people who are suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) experience fatigue.” Suffice to say that if you’ve ever suffered from depression, then chances are you’re probably familiar with what it feels like to suffer from fatigue too. An important thing to remember here is that this research covers those experiencing a diagnosis of MDD. It does not include those who have self-diagnosed themselves with depression. If you feel you are struggling with fatigue as a result of depression, it is important to speak with a mental health professional who can provide or connect you with the support you need to lead a more empowered and productive life.
Tips to talk about your troubles: Consider these examples on how one might open discussion about experiencing fatigue or a lack of energy as a result of suffering from depression.
“Recently I’ve been feeling depleted, even over simple tasks such as doing the dishes or taking my clothes to the laundromat across the street. Do you think this is somehow related to how I’ve been feeling emotionally lately? ”
“I thought game night would be just what I needed to lift my spirits up. Unfortunately that first round of Monopoly has me down for the count. Why does everything feel so draining lately? Is there anything I can do about this?”
6. Anxiety and irritability
Depression can lead to anxiety and irritability, as well as feelings of restlessness or agitation.
I really like the way Cynthia W. Lubow, MS, MFT talked about this depressive symptom, because I feel like it’s super relatable and really helps expand visibility for the many different ways depression gets dressed in the lives of everyday people. Sometimes irritability and anxiety show up as the result of depression, however, that is not always how they are seen, understood or accepted.
Whether it’s the person experiencing and expressing these symptoms, or the people around them witnessing the expression of these symptoms, anxiety and irritability in a person can often be seen as upsetting, annoying or otherwise unacceptable behaviour.
Tips to talk about your troubles: If you experience onset anxiety or irritability, it’s worth sharing with your physician or trusted mental health professional. not sure how to open the discussion? Maybe these examples can help.
“Lately I feel like my feelings have been a burden on others. Like somehow whenever I’m irritated by something that’s going on, it’s a problem for everyone else. I just wish someone could understand that I’m not trying to bring them down, I’m just trying to be honest about how I’m feeling.”
“If I’m being honest, my anxiety has been on a level lately. I’m anxious about being on time for work. I’m anxious about choosing the right person to go on a date with. I’m anxious about not letting people down – sometimes even strangers on the street! A friend of mine noticed that I’ve been a lot more on edge lately and said that I should talk to someone about it. What would you recommend I do?”
7. Social withdrawal and isolation
People suffering from depression may avoid social events, withdraw from friends and family, and feel isolated and disconnected from others.
Humans are built to flourish in interpersonal connections and to live in groups. However, when discussing social withdrawal and isolation, especially as they pertain to depression, it is vital to highlight that these symptoms are extremely dangerous. "Not only is social isolation a symptom of depression, but it can also exacerbate feelings of loneliness and become problematic. It’s not uncommon for people with depression or people going through a major depressive episode to fall into this trap.“ – Jennifer Carpenter, CTE
From my own personal experiences, I can say that when I have experienced social retreat and isolation, it has usually arisen from a sense that there was no one around who I could trust to listen, understand, and adequately support me in whatever I was going through. The ultimate relief for me came when I realised beyond a doubt that I was not alone, and that there were others who had gone through similar experiences and come out better for it before me.
Tips to talk about your troubles: If you are struggling with social withdrawal and isolation, please, reach out to someone who will listen. If you are feeling hopeless, please know that there is hope. Real support exists. The SAMSHA Helpline exists to help people who are struggling with various different mental health experiences, challenges and disorders including depression and its common and uncommon symptoms. Please reach out if at all you feel stuck.
There is no one way to discuss this feeling. Call the line, and share whatever you are feeling. Someone will be there to help you navigate the experience you are going through and offer recommendations on steps you can take to improve your life’s situation.
Keep Going!
Check out these related posts
