Depression is an illness that can creep up on you slowly and cause significant damage to your quality of life before you even realize it’s happening. To minimize the effects of depression, start to notice the signs that are showing up that indicate something isn’t right. Since depression can manifest itself in so many different ways, it’s often hard to tell whether you’re experiencing depression. If you recognize the signs, however, you may be able to seek counseling and get the help you need before things get too far out of hand. Here are four subtle signs of depression you shouldn’t ignore.

1) Becoming Easily Annoyed

Sometimes depression can lead to short bursts of anger or irritation. But it’s also possible to become annoyed by things that wouldn’t normally get your blood boiling, such as phone calls, emails, or even funny stories. Oftentimes depression will cause you to lose motivation and drive, which can make you dread situations that were once pleasurable.

It’s important to note that although depression can cause some people to have bursts of anger, other people may become more easily annoyed by otherwise insignificant events. While these small shifts in your mood are often subtle and not immediately noticeable, it’s still important to watch out for them and pay attention when they occur.

Depression treatment can help you better understand why you react negatively to certain situations so you don’t need to continue feeling that way when having conversations with friends or family members. It will help you deal with these feelings and discover how they developed in a safe environment so you don’t have to live with them anymore.

2) Being Overly Critical

It’s easy to overlook the signs of depression. But you may feel yourself becoming more judgemental of yourself or others. People with depression can be overly critical about everything and everyone. It’s not judgment necessarily, it just seems like nothing or no one is living up to their standards. This can affect their relationships because people around them feel their constant criticism as an attack against themselves.

They are so critical that they usually end up isolating themselves from others in an attempt to escape from all these things that they find fault within other people or in themselves.

If you start noticing that you’re being overly critical towards yourself or other people, take a closer look at your state of mind. Recognizing and accepting help for depression is hard, but it can mean a better quality of life for you. Depression treatment. The trickiest part is starting that conversation with someone else—and knowing where to turn when no one else can give you that extra push—but once started, they are more likely than not going to be able to help pull you out of your slump and point you in a healthier direction.

3) Feeling Unhappy With A Situation You Otherwise Like

Does a job that you’ve always loved now make you unhappy? Are you longing to change your home, relationship, or something else?  If so, it’s important to recognize that these feelings might be signs of depression. If you feel generally unhappy with your life despite having an otherwise good situation going on around you, it’s time to pay attention. It may be that there are underlying issues in your life that need addressing. While it’s possible for depression and unhappiness to exist without one another, sometimes our unhappiness is actually caused by depression—and if left untreated can lead us down a slippery slope toward self-destructive behavior.

4) Avoiding Social Situations

Another sign of depression is a desire to stay in isolation. If you normally love socializing with friends and family, but now prefer staying home alone with your thoughts, it may be a symptom that something isn’t right. Though there are many people who prefer solitude, if it goes beyond what’s normal for you or feels uncomfortable, it could be a cause for concern. Though we don’t all have signs of depression in common—everyone experiences these symptoms differently—if you see these signs within yourself or someone else, keep an eye out for further warning signs and reach out for help sooner rather than later.

It’s often hard to notice when you’re depressed, so it’s important to check in with friends and family about how they think you’re doing. Your loved ones are a great support system; they may notice changes in your mood or behavior before you do. If they suspect that something is off, ask them what they think might be going on and make an appointment with a mental health professional if you feel there may be a problem. After all, no one knows you better than those who know you best.

The typical signs of depression

Depression is a serious mood disorder that can have devastating effects on individuals and families. Major depression affects about 20 million American adults each year, causing feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration for weeks at a time. However, there are subtle warning signs that may point to depression before more obvious symptoms emerge. In fact, many people with depression don’t recognize their own illness because they simply don’t expect to feel unhappy all day long—it seems normal and they become used to it. If you notice any of these signs in yourself or someone you care about it is important not to ignore them; seek help right away before getting worse!

Some people who are depressed complain about headaches or stomachaches when they are feeling sad. Others report insomnia, feelings of heaviness in their arms and legs, or a loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed. Some find themselves overwhelmed by feelings of guilt and regret, while others are plagued by feelings that no one cares about them. Many people with depression feel as if they have lost their ability to concentrate and remember simple things like directions to familiar places. In severe cases, some patients may even experience hallucinations—seeing or hearing things that aren’t there—or delusions—false beliefs not based on reality.

Knot Counseling Can Help

Feeling depressed is an incredibly difficult thing, and it’s important to have someone to talk to who can help you sort through your thoughts and feelings. If you aren’t currently using a therapist but are experiencing depression symptoms, consider starting depression treatment as soon as possible. The added perspective and outside opinion can be invaluable in helping you think through your problems and work towards solutions.