Depression and what you do
In this section, we look at what people do when depressed. Many people will show few signs of it yet they are in turmoil under the surface. Yet even with a mask on, there are often signs that can be picked up.
- Perhaps you start to withdraw from life. You stop going to the football with your friends. You don't stop at the water cooler at work to chat. You stop watching the TV news or your soap because you 'can't be bothered'. Maybe you know what you should do to feel better but can't build up the energy to do it. You think it won't work even if you do try.
- Perhaps you get ratty. You shout and scream at your child for the slightest reason. You hope your partner gives you a chance to start an argument so that you can jump down his throat. You change from being a happy go lucky person into a raging bull. You may feel so full of self-hatred that you want to hurt yourself.
- Perhaps you burst into tears at the drop of a hat. Maybe you have gone from being the life and soul of the party to someone who just wants to hide from the world.
- Perhaps you make a lot of daft mistakes at work. Maybe you feel that you are not up to the work. You feel that everyone is better than you, that you hold the rest back.
Depression actions symptom list
Avoidance
| Making decisions | Withdraw into your own world |
| Talking to neighbours | Avoid sex |
| Taking responsibility | Seeing friends/having a night out |
| Visiting family | Avoid people as much as you can |
Are there any other things you avoid that are not on this list?
Behaviour
| Can't sit at peace | Do things much more slowly |
| Anger outbursts | Cry easily |
| Take longer to do things | Argue more |
| Make more mistakes | Drink more |
| Smoke more | Take more risks |
Are there any other behaviour signs that are not on this list?
