Signs of Recovering From Depression
Depression is a debilitating mental health issue that can significantly impact a person socially and occupationally. Treatment for depression includes individual therapy, family therapy, support groups and medication. Also, exercising, getting at least eight hours of sleep and eating healthfully can help reduce symptoms of depression 1. Depression can last for years or a period of time as short as two weeks.
Mood
People who are depressed usually feel sad or irritable most of the time. When a depression is lifting, the person probably has more days where he’s not sad or irritable. It doesn’t mean that he’s going to be incredibly happy. It just means the pervasive sense of sadness has faded. Also, it’s common for someone who’s depressed to feel hopeless and worthless. Through therapy and medication, a person can realize that the future isn’t hopeless. Someone recovering from depression would be able to acknowledge his positive characteristics.
- People who are depressed usually feel sad or irritable most of the time.
- Also, it’s common for someone who’s depressed to feel hopeless and worthless.
Sleep and Eating Issues
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Sleep issues such as not being able to sleep or sleeping too much are common symptoms of depression 1. Also, eating way too much or not enough are other signs of depression. Someone recovering from depression will be more likely to eat and sleep normally. This will help the person’s ability to concentrate and get back to a normal weight.
- Sleep issues such as not being able to sleep or sleeping too much are common symptoms of depression 1.
- Also, eating way too much or not enough are other signs of depression.
Social and Occupational Differences
People who suffer from depression usually have a hard time maintaining healthy relationships and have difficulty at work due to lack of concentration. If the depression is lifting, the person might be able to make more time for friends and family and stop isolating herself. She might get and maintain a new job. When the depression is subsiding, the person is more likely to get out of bed every morning to get to work on time, to meet deadlines and to gain respect at work.
- People who suffer from depression usually have a hard time maintaining healthy relationships and have difficulty at work due to lack of concentration.
- When the depression is subsiding, the person is more likely to get out of bed every morning to get to work on time, to meet deadlines and to gain respect at work.
Physical Issues
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Some people who suffer from depression experience psychosomatic symptoms, meaning they experience medical issues without any medical reason for the issue 1. They might have headaches or stomachaches on a regular basis. A person who’s having psychosomatic symptoms might seek treatment from a doctor who can’t find any basis for the issue. When someone is recovering from depression, the psychosomatic issues should reduce.
- Some people who suffer from depression experience psychosomatic symptoms, meaning they experience medical issues without any medical reason for the issue 1.
- A person who’s having psychosomatic symptoms might seek treatment from a doctor who can’t find any basis for the issue.
Suicidal Thoughts
Many times people suffering from major depression will have suicidal thoughts or even attempt to commit suicide. If someone is recovering from depression, she will no longer have those thoughts or urges. It’s a huge sign of success when someone who was contemplating suicide no longer thinks about death and dying.
Related Articles
References
- Mayo Clinic: Symptoms of Depression
- HELPGUIDE.org: Understanding Depression
- Harvard Health Publishing. What causes depression? Harvard Health. Published June 2009. Updated June 24, 2019.
- Mental Health America. Co-Occurring Disorders And Depression. Published November 18, 2013.
- ADAA. Co-Occurring Disorders. Anxiety and Depression Association of America website. Published 2019.
- DeRubeis RJ, Hollon SD, Amsterdam JD, et al. Cognitive therapy vs medications in the treatment of moderate to severe depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005;62(4):409–416. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.62.4.409
- Arnow BA, Constantino MJ. Effectiveness of psychotherapy and combination treatment for chronic depression. Journal of Clinical Psychology. 2003;59(8):893-905. doi:10.1002/jclp.10181
- Ng QX, Venkatanarayanan N, Ho CYX. Clinical use of Hypericum perforatum (St John’s wort) in depression: A meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2017;210:211-221. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2016.12.048
- Harvard Health Publishing. Exercise is an all-natural treatment to fight depression. Harvard Health. Published April 2013. Updated April 30, 2018.
- American Psychological Association. Depression. APA website. Published 2019.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness. Depression overview. NAMI website. Reviewed August 2017.
- National Institute of Mental Health. Depression. The National Institute of Mental Health Information Resource Center. Revised February 2018.
Writer Bio
Michelle Bolyn is a licensed mental health professional and has worked since 2006 as a therapist. Bolyn has been writing mental health, wedding-related and relationship focused articles since 2007. She is published on Suite101.com and Examiner.com. Bolyn received her master's degree in social work from New York University.