Warning! Are You Ignoring These Ugly Signs of Depression That Could Kill You?
10 Early Warning Signs of Depression
Are you regularly sad and having feelings of hopelessness?
I have a secret to share with you. It’s not something I share with most people. My secret is this. . . I suffer from occasional depression.
It’s not debilitating, but there have been instances when it has affected my social life. I remember on one occasion going out with another couple of friends to dinner. I was not very sociable because all through dinner, I did not speak one word. I didn’t have the mood nor the energy to carry on a conversation.
I can’t say that it’s severe depression, although I have had some suicidal thoughts at times. I can usually get over it by going to the gym and exercising, or by going to sleep. By the next day, I’m usually back to normal.
There are other people however, that don’t get through their depression easily. I had an aunt Nicole that experienced severe depression throughout her life.
When she was depressed she seldom got out of bed. She isolated herself from people and did not get out of her house. She also had difficulty managing her personal affairs.
My aunt went to many doctors and was treated with a variety of medications, but to no avail. Her depression was cyclical but persistent up to her death.
*This post may include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, I may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you. I assure you that if I recommend something, it is because I believe it will be of great benefit for your personal development and success. I also just need a little wine! Thanks! 🙂
Depression can be deadly!
Take the case of Anthony Bourdain for example. He was a famous chef who won many culinary awards. He was an author and famous TV personality. He traveled around the world sharing special culinary experiences.
In short, Anthony Bourdain seemed to have it all, fame, fortune, and happiness. Yet, on June 8, 2018 Anthony was found dead from suicide by hanging at the La Chambard Hotel in Kaysersburg, France.
I write this article to inform you of the dangers of suicide as 50% of all suicides are tied to depression. I also write this article to provide hope for those who suffer chronic depression.
The focus of my blog is to provide tips and strategies for creating a successful life. If you are suffering from depression it is doubtful that you can ever achieve your full success potential.
In order to achieve your maximum potential, you must have a clear mind and high energy. Depression robs you of these. I offer you solutions that will eliminate your depression and allow you to live life to the fullest.
Depression Warning Signs
You must be aware of the symptoms of depression or else they could sneak up on you or a loved one and put you in danger. Depression is a serious mental health condition.
- Long-term feelings of sadness or emptiness, hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness or helplessness
- Loss of interest in hobbies or activities that were once very enjoyable
- Loss of energy, lethargy, or difficulty getting out of bed
- Trouble with concentration, making decisions, or recalling details
- Avoidance of social contact or social situations
- Anxiety; persistent feelings of sadness
- Trouble falling asleep or sleeping too much
- Loss of appetite or overeating
- Cutting on arms or legs often in young people
- Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
Common Treatments For Depression
*This post may include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. I assure you that if I recommend something, it is because I believe it will be of great benefit for your personal development and success. I also just need a little wine! Thanks! 🙂
Exercise- boosts feel-good brain chemicals; at least ½ hour per day
Strong Social Networks- Keep in regular contact with friends and family. Join clubs, take dance lessons, take up Pickleball
Nutrition- Eat well-balanced meals; take vitamin supplements as needed
Sleep- Make sure to get plenty of sleep every night (7-9 hrs)
Stress Reduction- Minimize stressors in your life.
Rule Out Medical Causes- medication side effects; thyroid problems
Talk Therapy- meet with mental health professionals; cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Medication- anti-depressants can help alleviate feelings of sadness and hopelessness. Consult with your physician.
Relaxation Techniques- yoga, meditation (Click here for a great resource for brainwave meditations to help reduce stress and anxiety)
Acupuncture- This ancient Chinese therapy has been found to help symptoms of depression.
Holistic Programs- Medications are often prescribed, but they also have many side effects. They may not be the most effective choice. There are programs that offer a more holistic approach that don’t involve the use of drugs or expensive therapy sessions. One such program is called “Destroy Depression” that has shown to be effective for overcoming the devastating effects of depression.
Treatments For Resistant Depression
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)- for adults with major depressive disorder who haven’t gotten relief from anti-depressant medications. TMS uses targeted magnetic impulses to stimulate areas of the brain that are underactive in people with major depression.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)- for patients who don’t respond to TMS, ECT involves inducing a seizure under general anesthesia using electrical impulses to stimulate the brain
For emergencies call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
For an immediate crisis call the Crisis Line at 988.
The bottom line is that you must be aware of, and treat your symptoms of depression if you truly want to be happy and successful. Depression is like a dark cloud of sadness that envelopes you with negative thoughts and feelings. Free yourself and thrive! Don’t let depression keep you from achieving your success!
If you got value from this post, please share it with your social network. I also enjoy reading your comments below.
To your success,
David C Figueroa- Success Coach
References:
HelpGuide.org- “Depression Treatment”
WebMD- “Depression Treatment: Your Options, 9/18/21
VeryWellMind- “An Overview of the Treatments for Depression”
Healthy Spirit, Fall 2022, “New Hope for Treatment Resistant Depression”
You may also like my other post, “How Tango Can Improve Your Life and Keep You Healthy”
It’s Time to Discover the Simple Effective Treatment Plan That Will Finally Give You Back Control Over Your Life.
About the Author David C Figueroa
David C Figueroa is a psychologist with over 35 years of experience teaching personal development. An awesome success coach, and internet marketer. Now retired, he has refocused his goals into helping ambitious men and women to create exceptional lives.
