We talk a lot about health these days, but for some reason we tend to forget, that there is more to health than the physical aspects. In fact, the current situation has led to a peak of mental illnesses. In May 2020, the Washington Post wrote that «The coronavirus pandemic is pushing America into a mental health crisis».
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five adults in the United States live with a mental illness, the most common one being depression. But since the beginning of this year, the numbers have jumped by additional thousands.
So, one way or the other, it is pretty unlikely to walk through this life without getting in touch with at least one of the various forms of depression.
Twitter User @emburke wrote a very detailed thread about symptoms of this illness, especially those that no-one talks about. It is a very interesting read and helps us all to become aware of the severity of mental health.
Symptoms of depression that no-one talks about. – a thread. /1
— Emily♡ (@emkburke) September 6, 2020
Complete mental exhaustion from fighting your brain constantly. This can lead to lack of concentration, forgetfulness, chronic fatigue, missing deadlines, withdrawing from socialising, insomnia and higher susceptibility to physical illness. /2
— Emily♡ (@emkburke) September 6, 2020
Dissociation. Feeling like you’re moving through life but aren’t really there. Things just happen around you but they don’t feel real. Feeling detached from your body. Feeling like you’re watching yourself from the outside. Feeling disconnected and numb. Nothing feels real. /3
— Emily♡ (@emkburke) September 6, 2020
Just the thought of living seems impossible. It takes a huge amount of physical energy and mental effort to get through each day, so just waking up in the morning and being faced with yet another day feels soul-destroying. /4
— Emily♡ (@emkburke) September 6, 2020
Engaging in behaviour which isn’t obviously self-destructive but long-term may be. For example, drinking too much too often, putting yourself in unsafe situations, having unprotected sex, spending a lot of money, making impulsive decisions. /5
— Emily♡ (@emkburke) September 6, 2020
The physical effects of depression. Stomach pain. Throbbing headaches. Lack of appetite. Missing your period. Constipation/diarrhoea. Chronic fatigue. Nausea. Weight gain or weight loss. Every part of your body aching. Insomnia. /6
— Emily♡ (@emkburke) September 6, 2020
An overwhelming sense of shame. This may be from feeling judged by other people, from not being able to accomplish the things you normally can, from struggling with personal hygiene or keeping your environment tidy or from feeling like a failure. /7
— Emily♡ (@emkburke) September 6, 2020
Feeling unable to concentrate on anything so you just lie on your bed or scrolling through social media because you can’t concentrate, willing for the hours to go past quickly so the day can end. /8
— Emily♡ (@emkburke) September 6, 2020
Guilt. Perhaps this is from struggling to keep up with other people’s demands/expectations or feeling you are letting others down by cancelling on them or not being able to do what you said you would. /9
— Emily♡ (@emkburke) September 6, 2020
Feeling like you have to pretend everything is fine. Getting dressed up, doing your hair & makeup, going out, smiling, acting like nothing is wrong. Someone asking you if you’re doing okay and you saying ‘I’m fine.’ /10
— Emily♡ (@emkburke) September 6, 2020
Knowing that you’re back in that place again, but not knowing how you can possibly change that. Knowing what helps you feel better but not having the energy to be able to do those things. /11
— Emily♡ (@emkburke) September 6, 2020
An inability to even think about the future, let alone plan for it. Perhaps you are now living in the future you didn’t think would ever exist, and that makes everything feel unreal. Perhaps you can’t see yourself making it another day, so planning ahead seems impossible. /12
— Emily♡ (@emkburke) September 6, 2020
Your room/house getting disgustingly messy because you don’t have the energy to make your bed let alone empty the bins. /13
— Emily♡ (@emkburke) September 6, 2020
Anger at yourself. Because you feel like you’re wasting valuable time. Because you want to be able to fix things but can’t. Because you can’t explain to someone else why you’re feeling the way you are. Because you feel like your progress has all gone. /14
— Emily♡ (@emkburke) September 6, 2020
I’m sure this list could go on forever. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. If you are struggling remember you are never alone. For support you can contact: @samaritans @MindCharity @TheMixUK @NSPCC @PAPYRUS_tweets @GiveUsAShout.
— Emily♡ (@emkburke) September 6, 2020
