Inside the shadows: understanding what depression feels like. So, how do you describe to another what depression feels like? It’s more than just being sad.

And don’t forget, there are many different kinds of depression which I will describe the ones I have been through (and some still going through).

I’ve been so far down (more times than I care to admit) that I didn’t want to live anymore. And yes, I tried to end it several times (again, more than I care to admit).

I’ve also been in psychiatric hospitals all throughout my so far lifespan. I lost count of the number just like the others.

Although, the past few months have been good to me. If feels like the depression and anxiety have lifted. Don’t ask me why…I’m not. I’m more grateful than I’ve ever been.

What Does Depression Feel Like Physically?

Inside the shadows: understanding what depression feels like. Depression can manifest in various physical symptoms, which can vary from person to person.

Here are some common physical sensations and experiences associated with depression:

• Firstly, Fatigue: A persistent feeling of tiredness or lack of energy, even after adequate rest.
• Sleep Disturbances: This can include insomnia (difficulty sleeping), hypersomnia (sleeping too much), or restless sleep.
• Changes in Appetite: Some individuals may experience a loss of appetite and weight loss, while others may have increased cravings and weight gain.
• Fourthly, Aches and Pains: Unexplained physical pain, such as headaches, back pain, or joint pain, can be common.
• Muscle Tension: Chronic tension in the muscles, leading to discomfort or stiffness.
• Digestive Issues: Problems such as nausea, constipation, or diarrhea can occur.
• Slowed Movements: A noticeable decrease in physical activity or slower movements and speech.
• Additionally, Restlessness: A feeling of being unable to sit still, often accompanied by anxiety.
• Weakness: A general sense of weakness or heaviness in the body.
• Heart Palpitations: An increased awareness of heartbeats, which may feel irregular or rapid.
• Dizziness: Feelings of lightheadedness or faintness.
• In Addition, Cold or Hot Flashes: Sudden changes in body temperature, leading to feelings of being overly hot or cold.
• Changes in Libido: A decreased interest in sexual activity or intimacy.
• Numbness or Tingling: Physical sensations of numbness or tingling in various parts of the body.
• Lastly, Poor Coordination: Difficulty with balance or coordination, which can affect daily activities.

I hope that answers your question. There are probably more than what’s on this list, but this is the core physical symptoms.

What Does Depression Feel Like Mentally?

Exhausted

Inside the shadows: understanding what depression feels like. How do you feel mentally?

The first thing that pops into my mind is exhausted. You are literally, mentally exhausted. You have nothing left to give.

All I want to do is sleep to escape what my life has become. I sleep, therefore I don’t feel. I don’t want to feel the sadness that has engulfed me.

Hopelessness

Simultaneously, you feel like it is never going to get any better. You loose all sense of hope that you just want to die. Hence, your motivation to do anything is gone.

Thus, you just pray for God to end it all because you can’t take it anymore. I did several times over, but thankfully, He never listened to me. Or, He was, but never took action.

Loss of Interest

I just loss all interest in everything…including living. I always listened to music because it expressed what I couldn’t. But even that fell to the wayside.

I even (at times) lost interest in my cats. Those who know me, I’m a big animal lover (especially cats). I had 3 cats at one time.

I became more mad at them than I was loving them. It’s kind of funny how depression can twist your feelings around into something negative when it was positive.

Social Withdrawal

Consequently, you withdrawal socially from everything when the depression is really bad. I know that I hid in the house when I would have my bouts.

In fact, I would just stand at the window, staring out blindly, wondering what was going on outside. But I didn’t dare step foot outside.

I withdrew from my family. I stopped going to family gatherings. Really, stopped talking to friends and family.

Feeling Detached

Inside the shadows: understanding what depression feels like. The ones who have never experienced depression or even a panic attack, how do you describe the feeling of being detached?

Therefore, I’ll do my best. You feel like your surroundings are moving in slow motion. You can’t hear anything even though there are sounds.

Subsequently, you don’t feel like your in your body anymore. Therefore, you can’t move. I’ve seen things that weren’t there or so I thought were there.

Your breathing slows to a minimum. Sometimes, you feel like your observing yourself from outside of your body.

Pessimism

Overall, you are so negative about everything. People, places, situations and observations, just to name a few. Basically, a negative outlook on life.

You expect the worst in any situation. Your tone of voice is even flat (no conviction). You just spew negativity all over the place. But that’s not to say that it can’t change.

What Does Functional Depression Feel Like?

Functional depression is being able to still do things in your life (work, socializing), but deep down you are depressed.

Even though you don’t show it (except to people really close), deep down you are not processing everything ok. Outward, you look fine, inward you’re not.

What Does Mild Depression Feel Like?

Inside the shadows: understanding what depression feels like.

Some may disagree with me, but from my true experience with depression, functioning and mild depression were the same. I was still able to function when I had mild depression.

When the depression increased to severe is when I stopped functioning. With mild depression, I had some negative thoughts, but not about all things.

I was still somewhat concerned with my appearance. Still took showers, got up in the morning (grudgingly), ate meals and went to bed at usual time. Also, I was able to work.

What Does Severe Depression Feel Like?

I’ve talked a little about severe depression. Whereas, it’s very crippling in the sense that you feel like you just don’t have the energy to do anything.

You may sleep all day. There’s all the physical symptoms as I have shown above. Plus irritability, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of guilt or shame.

Also, overwhelming emotions, indifference, and fear of failure are a few more. I could go on and on. It’s just very debilitating in every aspect of your life.

What Does Bipolar Depression Feel Like?

Inside the shadows: understanding what depression feels like. I felt like I was swinging from a chandelier with my emotions. Excited and then completely sad are two emotions I go through.

When I’m on a high, I buy a lot of things thinking that that is going to make me happy. Then when I come down from the high, I am so depressed.

You don’t feel like doing anything (accept sleep). You really don’t want to talk to anyone. It’s like jumping off of a waterfall .

Your so excited to jump off of the waterfall. Then you hit the water below and the water from above keeps pushing you down until you finally get away from it.

What Does Anxiety Depression Feel Like?

You’re so full of anxiety, you’re depressed because you know there is more to life than this. In the same way, the anxiety keeps you from enjoying life like you used to.

In time, the depression sets in because you think you’ll never have that enjoyment again.

I’m here to prove that wrong. I live with anxiety and I couldn’t be any happier than I am now.

I force myself into situations where I have to face my anxiety (or fears). It’s called Exposure Therapy. It cured my fear of driving.

When the anxiety first developed, and it seemed like it wasn’t going away, I was depressed. I wasn’t on any anxiety meds at the time either.

I was put on Klonopin and it changed my life from being afraid to being capable of doing things I used to do.

What Does Seasonal Depression Feel Like?

Inside the shadows: understanding what depression feels like. In truth, most people experience this during the colder, winter months.

My favorite holiday is (of course) Christmas. So intead of thinking cold, dreary days, I think of Christmas.

Which is happy, fun, being with family times. That way, I don’t think of the negativity of winter, I think of happier times. Besides, that’s the only time I see my brother.

Of ourse, I do look forward to summer and spending time out in the sun in warmer weather. Although, I don’t mind the cold so much anymore.

Therefore, think of happier times that are during the winter and focus on that. Plus, the days and weeks are going by so fast, winter will come and go before you know it.

What Does Being on Antidepressants Feel Like?

I will say, when I first started taking meds, my body didn’t like that. I had all the side effects and then some. Over the years, my body has gotten used to taking meds.

Being on an antidepressant, you have to watch out for the side effects. Some of them are real doozies. I was on Effexor XR and I was a zombie.

Although, you may have a different reaction. I have noticed with the Klonopin (my anxiety med) that I’m clenching my teeth at times. That’s not a good sign for me.

You just have to find which antidepressant works for you. There are a lot of them on the market and many more being developed.

Sum It All Up

Inside the shadows: understanding what depression feels like. So, I hope I gave you a bit of a brief synopses of what depression feels like.

It’s really not all doom and gloom. You can bring yourself out of it with just thinking positively. Meds help also.

I know, it’s hard to do when you have severe depression. Just take one day at a time. Don’t look at the big picture, look at the tiny detail in the picture (1 hour, 1 minute).

Hence, that’s how you survive in the depths of despair. Focus on one tiny detail and stay focused on that. It could be an emotion, or something physical.

Make sure it’s something positive in your life. Pretty soon, it will mushroom into bringing you out of the state your in. Never, ever give up hope! Until next time…

Articles About Depression

-How to cope with depression

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/tips-and-support/cope-with-depression

-Causes – Depression in adults

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/depression-in-adults/causes/#:~:text=There’s%20no%20single%20cause%20of,often%20combine%20to%20trigger%20depression.

-Depression

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9290-depression

Have a Good One,

Cindee Murphy
“One Voice In The Vastness Of Emotions”

“There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.” ― Laurell K. Hamilton, Mistral’s Kiss

“The good times of today are the sad thoughts of tomorrow.” Bob Marley

“There is an ocean of silence between us… and I am drowning in it.” Ranata Suzuki

“Of all the weapons you fight with, your silence is the most violent.” Paramore, “Pool”

“When you’re happy, you enjoy the music but when you’re sad, you understand the lyrics.” ― Frank Ocean

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