People Often Cannot Recognize That They Have Depression

Helping Scam Victims Understand What Depression Is and Why So Many Survivors Cannot Recognize that they Have It!

Primary Category: Recovery Psychology

Author:
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
•  National Institute of Mental Health, and other sources

About This Article

Recognizing depression, especially at its onset, can be challenging as symptoms often develop gradually. Depression, or major depressive disorder, can affect anyone, including scam victims, presenting with persistent sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, guilt, loss of interest, fatigue, cognitive issues, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, and physical discomfort.

There are two main types: major depression, which severely impacts daily activities for at least two weeks, and persistent depressive disorder, with milder symptoms lasting at least two years. The difficulty in recognizing depression is compounded by factors like self-blame, a bleak perspective, internalized stigma, and cognitive impairment.

These elements can cause individuals to misattribute their symptoms to personal flaws or external circumstances, delaying crucial support.

If symptoms persist, consulting a healthcare provider is essential for timely intervention and recovery. Encouraging someone showing signs of depression to seek professional help is vital, as untreated depression can worsen, and peer discussions without professional guidance can increase trauma, especially for scam victims.

Note: This article is intended for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. If you are experiencing distress, please consult a qualified mental health professional.

Recognizing if You have Depression isn’t Always Straightforward, Particularly at its Onset

Depression does not just apply to scam victims, it can strike anyone!

Introduction

Depression, also known as major depressive disorder, is a serious mood disorder that can affect people in different ways. Some common signs and symptoms of depression include:

• Mood: A persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood, feelings of hopelessness or pessimism, or irritability, frustration, or restlessness
• Emotions: Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness, low self-esteem, feeling tearful, or having suicidal thoughts
• Interests: Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities, or not getting any enjoyment out of life
• Energy: Fatigue, lack of energy, or feeling slowed down
• Cognition: Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• Sleep: Difficulty sleeping, waking too early in the morning, or oversleeping
• Appetite: Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes

Different Types of Depression

There are two common types of depression.

Major depression includes symptoms of depressed mood or loss of interest, most of the time for at least 2 weeks, that interfere with daily activities.

Persistent depressive disorder (also called dysthymia or dysthymic disorder) consists of less severe depression symptoms that last much longer, usually for at least 2 years.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

Common signs and symptoms of depression include:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Feelings of irritability, frustration‚ or restlessness
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
• Fatigue, lack of energy, or feeling slowed down
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• Difficulty sleeping, waking too early in the morning, or oversleeping
• Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes
• Physical aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause that do not go away with treatment
• Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts

Depression can also involve other changes in mood or behavior that include:

• Increased anger or irritability
• Feeling restless or on edge
• Becoming withdrawn, negative, or detached
• Increased engagement in high-risk activities
• Greater impulsivity
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs
• Isolating from family and friends
• Inability to meet responsibilities or ignoring other important roles
• Problems with sexual desire and performance

Why Do People Deny It?

Instead of hitting all at once, symptoms of depression often trickle in gradually, making it hard to pinpoint. Even when looking back, identifying a bout of major depression may not be as clear-cut as it seems.

Why? Because several aspects inherent to depression make the challenge of recognizing it far from easy.

For many individuals, these factors prolong their suffering without grasping the nature of their ordeal, hindering them from seeking the necessary support. Here are four elements contributing to this dilemma:

1. Self-Blame: Depression frequently creates a deeply negative self-perception, sometimes escalating to self-hatred. These sentiments hinder individuals from recognizing them as symptoms of depression, as they appear distressingly valid. Amidst depression’s grip, one might perceive the issue not as thinking they’re worthless, but truly believing they are.

Similarly, other depressive symptoms might be dismissed as personal flaws; excessive sleep may be labeled as “laziness,” increased appetite as “poor self-control,” and low motivation as “lack of discipline.”

2. Bleak Perspective: Depression often brings about a pessimistic worldview, which feels as genuine as one’s negative self-view. The despair and hopelessness accompanying low moods might seem justified to those experiencing depression.

Consequently, attributing their low spirits to depression might not occur to the sufferer as they perceive it as an accurate reflection of the world’s miserable state. This perspective blinds them to the depressive lens through which they view the world.

3. Internalized Stigma: Despite progress, mental health diagnoses like depression still face significant stigma. Those grappling with depression may fear being viewed as “weak” or inadequate in managing their mental well-being. Such negative perceptions often lead individuals to internalize these biases, adding to their self-doubt.

When depression symptoms surface, individuals often subconsciously seek alternative explanations to evade the stigma associated with mental illness. For instance, they might attribute their lethargy and lack of motivation to poor sleep, disregarding depression as a plausible cause.

4. Cognitive Impairment: Depression often clouds thinking and impairs decision-making abilities, making it challenging to recognize the constellation of symptoms as depression.

If you’ve been feeling persistently low or disinterested in things that once brought joy, it might be wise to consult a healthcare professional. Opening up to the possibility of depression isn’t a sign of personal failure; it’s an essential step toward finding relief. Remember, identifying the issue sooner leads to swifter intervention and recovery.

Summary

Not everyone who is depressed shows all these symptoms. Some people experience only a few symptoms, while others experience many. Depression symptoms interfere with day-to-day functioning and cause significant distress for the person experiencing them.

If you show signs or symptoms of depression and they persist or do not go away, talk to a healthcare provider. If you see signs of depression in someone you know, encourage them to seek help from a mental health professional.

Please note: depression does not just go away by itself, it needs help. Also, if you are a scam victim suffering depression symptoms, talking to other scam victims is not going to help, in fact it can make it worse and increase trauma unless you are careful and under the care of a professional therapist.

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• The Self-Pity Trap & How To Overcome It (scamsnow.com)
• Relationship Scam Victims – Impact On Employment And Jobs – Saving Employment After A Scam (scamsnow.com)
• Substance Abuse Susceptibility And Scam Victims – 2024 (scamsnow.com)

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