Symptoms of depression do not occur in a vacuum.  Much of the information on depression highlights its signs and symptoms.  While important, what is often missing is the impact of these symptoms on the affected person’s life.

A Matter of Degree

When depression is severe, a person is usually functioning poorly in the following areas:

• Relationships
• Work or school
• Leisure

In mild or moderate depression, these areas may still be affected, but to a lesser extent.

Examples

Obviously, each person’s life situation is unique and the impact of depression will vary.  And, some of the more common impacts include:

• Not wanting to leave the house for any reason, often staying in bed all day in the dark.
• Not answering the phone or returning texts, emails or other messages.
• Refusing requests to see friends, isolating self from others.
• Doing the bare minimum in terms of parenting duties or leaving all parenting duties to a spouse if there is one.  In rare cases children may be completely neglected, necessitating a response from the child protection department. Parents may also be consumed with anger and irritability, feeling constantly “at the breaking point.”
• Refusing to attend social activities or choosing to attend but feeling completely disconnected from others or keeping to oneself.
• “Putting on a mask”– pretending to others that things are okay when they are not. Sometimes the person will look very “put together” and will completely deny the presence of problems. This is often a very frustrating situation for family members who know differently.
• Underfunctioning at work or school or completely unable to attend work; failing school.
• Not finding anything enjoyable anymore, including things that used to be enjoyable
• Refusing to ask for help.

Psychological help and strategies can make a critical difference in resolving a depressive episode. I welcome a call or email from you or a concerned loved one.