Depression Warning Signs

How Understanding Traffic Patterns Can Help You Spot Depression Warning Signs In Your Relationships

Have you ever driven on the freeway and all of a sudden the traffic starts slowing down quite noticeably. You start getting irritated because you wanted to get where you were going quickly today. It's not rush hour, so you start thinking there must be some kind of accident ahead. About 20 minutes later, you see the policemen surrounding a totaled vehicle on the left shoulder. Sure enough, you were right, and you didn't even need to hear the traffic report or see the wreck for yourself - the slowdown in traffic gave it away.

 

The slowdown in traffic was a sign that something was wrong.

But you knew that because you had driven that stretch of the freeway many times. You had an idea of the traffic patterns and what to expect at certain times. So when there was a sudden change in the pattern, you recognized something was wrong. You realized there was a problem.

 

So what does understanding traffic patterns have to do with depression warning signs in your relationships?

Like traffic patterns, there are certain emotional patterns we all engage in with other people when we're feeling normal. We talk with others, we smile, we care about others and we feel they care about us. But when we're feeling depressed, the emotional pattern can change. All of a sudden, we may feel a bit more lonely. We may start crying for no reason. When we understand our own emotional patterns, we can better spot the warning signs of depression.

 

What are some changes in emotional patterns in relating to others that are good depression warning signs?

• You notice yourself avoiding people more than usual, including your friends and family.
• Your mood is noticeably more irritable.
• You feel alone.
• You don't feel like being intimate (physically or emotionally) with anyone.
• You feel like others don't care about you.
• You feel like you just don't care about anything or anyone anymore.

 

Now that you know some of the depression warning signs, here are some things you can do to help alleviate your depression...

You can try:

• Exercise - Exercise helps us release endorphins, which are hormones that help make us feel good. It's one of the natural remedies for depression.
• Talking with a friend about how you feel - The good old standby of talking it out with a friend can work wonders for your mood. If you're depressed because of some life event, such as losing a job, sometimes leaning on a friend can help comfort you and cause you to take action to create better circumstances.
• Doing something you find enjoyable - Sometimes just relaxing and doing something you find fun can help lift your mood a bit. It may not turn you into the world's happiest person, but it helps you feel better, and the best part is, it's free!
• Working with a therapist - If you're having a major depressive episode and can't see any way out, then finding a good therapist can help you immensely. They may be able to prescribe medication if your depression has more to do with genetics than with environmental causes.
• If you're having serious thoughts of suicide, get help immediately. One resource is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255). It's a free, confidential 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Visit their website at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org to learn more.

Depression is a serious condition, but it's also treatable.

The best thing to do to help yourself in beating depression is dealing with it as soon as it starts. So be on the lookout for changes in your emotional traffic patterns. Like a change in the pace of freeway traffic, they can warn you that a problem is just down the road.

Wondering if you may be depressed? Try this free depression questionnaire...

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