You can usually learn a lot about someone’s feelings by their appearance and behavior. Depressed individuals often talk slowly, move slowly, and gesture less than they did before. They may hang their heads or have difficulty looking you in the eyes when you speak to them. When people begin to develop unipolar major depression, they often start wearing dark or drab-colored clothing. They may lose weight, and their clothes will drape around their thin frames.
In close quarters, depressed individuals often go out of their way to avoid touching other people, tending to sit at a distance with crossed arms and legs that signify keep away. They might also draw in their arms and legs and sink into the couch or chair until they almost seem to be shrinking.
Fortunately, these tendencies go away with successful treatment, and you’ll see their appearance return to normal as the depression lifts.
- Is there any good news about this diagnosis?
- How does depression affect people’s longevity?
- Is there really a Band Aid that takes away depression?
- Will I have to keep taking medications or going to psychotherapy for the rest of my life?
- What’s a simple definition of major depression?
- What else can I do?
- Are drug companies suppressing natural products to make more money from their drugs?
- What are some commonly used products that are bad for my depression?
- What about marijuana? It makes me feel less depressed after I smoke it.
- What exactly is stress?
- Why do I get depressed over happy events, like my wedding?
- Is there somewhere I can go to get away from stress?
- Is there something simple and easy I can try to reduce my stress level?
- What should I do if my antidepressant just isn’t working?
- Are herbal supplements effective?
- Is it safe to buy supplements from the Internet?
- What are some good, basic dietary rules?
- Can vitamins help my depression?
- Should I take something to give me more energy?
- Can exercise help my depression?
