3.1 Describe the feelings an individual may have when experiencing depression

This guide will help you answer 3.1 Describe the feelings an individual may have when experiencing depression.

Depression is a mental health condition that affects how someone feels, thinks, and behaves. For those experiencing it, the feelings can be overwhelming, persistent, and disabling. People with depression may experience a wide variety of emotions and sensations, and these feelings often impact their ability to function day to day. As a support worker, it’s important to build an understanding of these feelings to provide empathy, support, and assistance to individuals facing this condition.

Feelings of Sadness

A common feeling someone with depression may have is persistent sadness. This sadness isn’t the same as feeling upset for a short time due to specific life events. Instead, it is a deep, ongoing emotional pain that can feel like a heavy burden. It might not always have an obvious cause, which can make it hard for the person to explain or for others to understand. The sadness might feel relentless, leaving no moments of relief.

Sadness in depression can make an individual feel disconnected. They may feel as though they are separate from their daily life, loved ones, or normal activities. This sadness is one of the hallmarks of depression and often leaves people feeling hopeless about the future.

Hopelessness and Despair

Hopelessness is another powerful feeling many people with depression experience. This can leave individuals thinking that things will never get better and that their situation is permanent or unchangeable. They may struggle to see any positives in their lives. Even when reassured by those around them, the feeling of hopelessness may overpower these attempts to comfort them.

Despair often accompanies hopelessness. Despair can make someone feel as though life itself has lost its meaning. The combination of these feelings creates a belief that there’s no way out of their current emotional state, which can further reinforce low mood and isolation.

Worthlessness and Low Self-Esteem

People with depression frequently feel a sense of worthlessness. They might believe that they contribute nothing to the world, their family, or the people around them. This feeling can cause them to withdraw, as they think their absence wouldn’t make a difference.

Low self-esteem often comes hand-in-hand with worthlessness. They may view themselves as incapable, unattractive, or unimportant. Even small mistakes might feel magnified and used as evidence for this negative self-image. These feelings can hinder their motivation to try new things or maintain routines, as they believe they will fail or won’t perform well enough.

Overwhelming Guilt

Guilt is another impactful feeling linked to depression. Unlike typical guilt that arises from specific actions, this form of guilt can be unjustified or excessive. For instance, an individual may blame themselves for events they couldn’t control, or for being a “burden” on others because of their mental health struggles. They often dwell on past mistakes, even minor ones, and view them as personal failings.

This guilt can deepen their depression. It creates a cycle where they feel bad about their situation but then blame themselves for feeling that way. This cycle can be challenging to break without proper support or professional help.

Anger and Irritability

Depression doesn’t always involve feelings of sadness alone. For some individuals, anger and irritability can become prominent. This doesn’t mean they are angry at others intentionally, but rather it may arise from their sense of frustration with themselves, their struggles, or their situation.

Irritability might lead to individuals snapping at others over small things or becoming easily annoyed. It can strain relationships, especially if those around them don’t understand that these feelings stem from their depression and not from deliberate hostility.

Numbness and Emotional Detachment

Some people with depression describe feeling emotionally numb. This is often experienced as an inability to feel anything at all, whether happiness, sadness, or love. It’s like a blank state where emotions simply cease to exist.

This numbness can make people feel disconnected from their loved ones or hobbies they once enjoyed. For a support worker, this can be observed as a lack of interest in activities or an indifferent attitude toward their surroundings. Numbness can feel as though life has become meaningless, which further adds to their feeling of isolation.

Anxiety and Worry

Although anxiety and depression are separate conditions, they can occur together. Those with depression might experience intense feelings of worry or fear, often about the smallest or most unlikely situations. Their thoughts can spiral, leaving them feeling trapped by “what if” scenarios or an overwhelming sense of dread.

These feelings can cause symptoms like restlessness, tension, and physical discomfort. The person might appear jumpy or on edge, often preoccupied with negative thoughts about their future or safety. Anxiety can worsen when individuals feel unable to express or address their experiences.

Loneliness and Isolation

Depression often makes people feel alone, even when surrounded by others. They may isolate themselves, avoiding friends, family, or social interactions because they feel that no one understands what they’re going through or that they are a burden on others.

This isolation feeds into their loneliness. They may crave comfort or connection but feel unable to reach out or communicate their needs. Support workers may see this in individuals retreating from previously enjoyed social activities or struggling to maintain close relationships.

Overwhelmed and Exhausted

Depression can leave individuals feeling mentally and emotionally drained. Even small everyday tasks, like brushing their teeth or making a simple meal, can feel daunting. They might express feeling “overwhelmed” by their life responsibilities, no matter how minor they seem.

This emotional fatigue often goes hand-in-hand with physical exhaustion. Many people with depression struggle to find the energy to get out of bed or take care of themselves. It can feel like every action requires immense effort.

Loss and Grief

Some individuals with depression may experience overwhelming feelings of loss. This doesn’t always mean the loss of a person but could relate to the loss of purpose, hopes, or dreams. They may grieve for the person they once were or their inability to live up to self-perceived expectations.

For example, someone who once enjoyed a hobby or had a career they took pride in might feel despair when they lose interest in or ability to perform these activities. This grief can deepen their sense of failure or hopelessness.

Feeling Overly Sensitive or Vulnerable

Depressed individuals can become more sensitive to the world around them. This might mean they are more easily upset by criticism, negative comments, or perceived rejection. Even minor disagreements can lead to significant distress as they feel emotionally vulnerable.

They may internalise the actions or words of others, taking things personally or believing they’re being targeted unfairly. This heightened sensitivity can lead to further withdrawal or conflict with others.

Fear of the Future

Depression can make individuals fear the future. They may struggle to plan or look ahead because they feel that things will always stay the same. This lack of hope can lead to procrastination, indecision, or a refusal to make long-term commitments.

This fear is different from ordinary worries, as it comes from a belief that they are incapable of achieving anything meaningful or avoiding future failures. It becomes another weight pulling them deeper into feelings of inadequacy.

Final Thoughts

Understanding how depression makes someone feel is an important step in supporting them effectively. By recognising the wide range of emotions, from sadness to numbness to anger, you can help individuals feel understood and reassured. Listening without judgment, offering compassion, and encouraging professional help are ways to assist those dealing with depression in their day-to-day lives. Understanding these feelings also helps reduce any stigma, fostering a supportive environment where individuals battling depression feel less alone. Let them know you are there for them and willing to listen without pushing them. Respect their boundaries and offer consistent support.