Spotting Depression in People with Miss Tilly and Me
Hi Everyone, my name is Vicky and I blog at Miss Tilly And Me, it’s a blog that has a bit of everything. I have mild bipolar and my mind is always messy and muddled, so sometimes my blog is like that too – after all my blog is an extension of me. Bipolar is a mental health issue and there are days when I can’t even face getting out of bed, but other days when I could talk forever and run a marathon (okay, maybe not a marathon) Anyway, Sarah has lent me some space on her blog so I can share some tips on spotting symptoms of depression in a family member or friend.
Spotting Depression In People
Mental health is something that isn’t going to go away, no matter how much we try to turn a blind eye to it and no matter how taboo the subject still is. I love the fact that it has been highlighted a lot recently on TV, Especially with the Aiden storyline on Coronation Street. Not only did they highlight mental health, but more importantly it was male mental health, an even more taboo subject. Did you know that mental health is the biggest killer in men between 25 and 45 years old? Nope, neither did I until recently.
I suffer from mental health problems, I have done for years and I have learnt to live with it without medication. It’s not easy, but its a choice I make because I don’t want to be drugged up. I have Cyclomythia. I can hide my symptoms from people and when I have an ‘episode’ it can often surprise people, even me. But do you know the symptoms of someone mental health episodes? Most of them can be heavily disguised by the person suffering in silence, we get good at hiding stuff like this.
Anger – They may seem suddenly angry all of the time, for such a little reason.
Acting or talking Confused – Is your friend or family person always confused at the moment and there is no other medical reason for them to be?
Sadness that won’t go away – This is a hard one to notice because people can hide their sadness away. Look at Robin Wiliams, whoever knew he had mental health problems because he was always cracking the jokes.
Fear, worry and anxiety that’s excessive – When my mental health plays up, I have major anxiety about the most minor of things that I can normally cope with.
Not Socialable – Is the person cancelling on lunch dates or nights out? Are they hard to get hold of? Then they could be having a rough time at the moment.
Suicidal thoughts – again this one that’s easy to hide! Your friend won’t tell you that they feel suicidal, because they are feeling down and worthless already.
Delusions or Hallucinations – This is for extreme mental health problems. I used to think people were talking about me all the time and that I was famous. Turned out I wasn’t famous and it was all part of my Postnatal Psychosis.
Sleeping all of the time or not sleeping at all – If they are sleeping a lot through the day and night, then that’s a sure sign of depression and if they are staying awake all day and night because they are worried about things, then that’s a sure sign of depression too.
Alcohol abuse – This was my problem when I had postnatal psychosis. I turned to drink to blur everything out and forget all of the hurt and suffering that I was feeling. This isn’t good and luckily I was able to stop.
These are just a few of the symptoms that people with depression have to live with, you can learn the signs of depression in this article from BetterHelp. Remember they are good at hiding it and sometimes you might not even notice that there is a problem. They might even be in denial and not admit there is a problem, because we all know that its easier to deny there is a problem.
If you’re reading this and you recognise the symptoms, then please ask for help. It takes a strong person to ask for help and it is always there for you. You can find anonymous help online in Facebook groups or other social media, or by contacting The Samaritans, Mind or your GP. There is always someone to help.
You can also find us at www.tillystravellingtelegram.co.uk, where we blog about travel.
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It is great that mental health issues are at the forefront of people thoughts now. thanks for sharing
I’ve suffered with depression and anxiety since childhood, and my partner says I deserve an Oscar for my acting skills at hiding it when I need to, it’s so hard to detect in people because they’ll only let you know if they want to most of the time, and it’s so hard to ask for help.
Thank you again for your efforts in raising awareness and making sure people are better equipped to spot the signs and help others.
Depression is such a silent and deadly illness and I am so glad more and more people are acknowledging about this and teaching others like me on how to spot it and to support others.
Thank you for sharing this. It’s so important to keep talking about mental health issues and making it something we all look for, in ourselves and others.
When I told my son I had depression, his reply was ‘but mum, you’re always smiling’. I think that sums up how easily some people hide their mental issues xx
My anxiety and depression definitely was shown in irritability and anger. I put on a good front for people out and about though.
It’s so hard to know what’s going on in someone else’s life but so important to recognize when they need help. If we learn to identify when it’s appropriate to reach out we might be able make a difference.
Thanks for sharing these point to help us spot depression. Sometimes we are so engrossed with everyday life that we may not spot depression. I’m taking a note on this for the future.
This is really important information, especially for people who haven’t had any experience with depression, so that they can be on the look out.
thank you for sharing. I had severe depression, I used to get all that was mentioned above. Eventually, I found comfort in my family, friends and my therapist. it is essential for everyone to be aware of this 🙂 to help others in their dire times.
I think it’s so important for it not to be a taboo. My best friends boyfriend suffered badly and sadly he’s not here so I know how bad the impact of depression can be x
A very important post this. It can be hard, sometimes, to see depression in others (or even ourselves), so this is a handy checklist.
So good to talk to people about it that is what I did with mine and also music helped me too.
I honestly think some people are just great at hiding it. I have suffered from depression and anxiety for years. I do my very best not to let it show when we’re out.
Everyone needs someone who they can talk to so it’s been enlightening seeing so much awareness on depression. Good points to spot.
Awareness is so important. Thanks for sharing this. To see someone cares can be what someone needs to lift the fog.
Interestingly enough sometimes depression can NOT be easily spottable! I know a few people who are depressed yet I would have never know, and I mean a lot of celebrities who have killed themselves, we would have NEVER thought they were unhappy!
Its so nice to see more people talking about depression and there being so many more resources but still not enough. I remember suffering depression when l lost my beloved dad and l felt so ashamed as everyone was saying its ok give you a while, your buck up!…. and then as l didn’t! the looks of whats wrong with her?….. The trying to explain and no one understanding and then the people who stop asking how l was so l didt bring up the dreaded depression thing. l was lucky l did get through it but l know it can hit any time and l hope my family and kids can always come to me with any anxiety or depression they have x
This is such an important resource . . . thank you! People with depression may not always want or be able to reach out for help, so knowing how to spot this can save a life.
Thank you so much for sharing this! Depression is a silent disease that can be deadly at times. It’s important for us to be able to spot the signs so that we can help.
thanks for this,my daughter has been suffering for years with no help from our gp,it angers me when i see adverts ect about mental health but my daughter has just been left to suffer ,shes 23 years old and doesn’t leave the house ,its such a waste of a life ,i wish there was more help out there