What Depression Feels Like and Tips for How to Cope

Have you ever wondered what depression feels like? Depression causes a range of physical and emotional symptoms as a mental health condition. It has a profound, wide-ranging impact on people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. If you are struggling with depression, you are not alone, and a qualified Christian counselor can help you.

What Depression Feels Like

There are many common feelings of depression that counselors use to make a diagnosis. Though you need to speak with a mental health professional to get a formal diagnosis, here are some of the common feelings of depression that you can look for to see if you need to get screened for this condition.

Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness are characteristics of what depression feels like. These feelings can manifest as losing interest in hobbies or activities a person once enjoyed. They can also cause related feelings of guilt, apathy, or worthlessness. Depression also causes a persistent sense of pessimism about what is in the future.

Depression can also cause you to feel differently about hunger. Some people with depression overeat to try to feel better, and others undereat due to a lack of interest in food. Changes in appetite are a common factor regarding what depression feels like.

Depression also affects your ability to sleep. The most common problems are either sleeping too much or recurrent insomnia. When your sleep is affected by depression, you may find it difficult to engage in your regular daily activities. Loss of sleep or too much sleep can also have a strong impact on other aspects of your physical health.

Depression also changes the way you think, not only the way you feel. People with depression often experience racing thoughts, negative thoughts, indecision, and lack of concentration or focus.

Some of the worst feelings associated with depression are despair or hopelessness. If you are wrestling with those types of feelings, it’s important to seek help from a qualified mental health professional as soon as possible. A caring counselor can help you sort out your feelings and manage them by looking at the root causes.

The Physical Toll of Depression

Depression comes with many uncomfortable and upsetting physical problems. Besides changes in appetite and sleep, depression often saps people of energy to do normal daily tasks. If you have depression, you may also experience physical signs like headaches, gastrointestinal upset, and chronic fatigue. Your immune system may be compromised when you have depression, which can make it more challenging for your body to fight off infections and illnesses.

When you have depression, you may have a higher risk for chronic health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, or heart disease. People with depression have higher risks for self-harm and suicidal attempts, which can have serious consequences or be life-threatening.

Because the physical toll of depression is so far-reaching, you must seek treatment for depression to head off problems in the future. You can seek support from your health care provider, counselor, and/or a support group to learn healthy ways to manage your depression symptoms and reduce depression’s physical toll.

How Depression Affects Relationships

Since depression affects someone’s ability to communicate and connect with others, it has a wide range of negative effects on relationships. If you are depressed, you may be tempted to withdraw from interactions with others or social activities you once enjoyed.

This withdrawal can cause feelings of loneliness and isolation. People with depression often struggle with negative beliefs about themselves and others. This dynamic affects their ability to have healthy and fulfilling relationships.

Depression can negatively affect a person’s ability to practice self-control with emotions and behaviors. This lack of self-control can cause misunderstandings and conflicts with others. Since depression often impacts someone’s appetite, energy, and sleep, it can also take a toll on their ability to participate in events and activities with other people.

Someone with depression needs to avoid isolation and reach out for help. Meeting with a counselor regularly or going to a support group can provide you with the social interaction you need on your road to overcoming depression.

Bible Verses to Help Fight Depression

Here are ten Bible verses that can help fight depression:

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13, ESV

Depression is so big that you cannot possibly overcome it all by yourself. However, God can give you strength each day as you take steps to manage it.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? – Psalm 27:1, ESV

Depression can stir up many fears. By meditating on this verse, you can grow your trust in God rather than giving into fear.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. – Isaiah 40:29, NIV

Depression might make you feel weak. This verse can give you strength as you rely on God’s strength rather than your own.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. – Matthew 11:28, NIV

As mentioned above, depression can affect your sleep in negative ways. By meditating on this verse before you go to bed, you can have hope for better rest.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6, NIV

Depression can also stir anxiety. When you feel anxious consider it a call to pray. Also, use it as an opportunity to express gratitude for even the smallest blessings in your life as you ask God for what you need.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. – 1 Peter 2:24, ESV

Often depression is caused by deep unhealed wounds in your past. With a counselor’s help, you can address those deep wounds and gain healing, which can ease depression.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7, NIV

When you are struggling with anxiety during depression, picture yourself throwing everything that upsets you on God. Cast it away from yourself and onto Him and let Him carry your heaviest loads.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39, ESV

It’s easy to lose sight of God’s love when you are struggling with depression. However, meditating on this verse regularly can remind you that you are loved by God, and nothing stands in the way of that love He has for you.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. – Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV

Nights can be difficult for someone who has depression. However, if you turn this verse into a prayer before bed, you can be more attuned to the blessings in the new day that’s ahead.

Overcoming Depression

There are several things you can do to begin determining what depression feels like and learning to overcome it. The best place to start is by seeking professional help from a caring Christian counselor. Your counselor will give you support and guidance to choose a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, which may include talk therapy, medication, or a combination.

It’s important to prioritize self-care when you’re learning what depression feels like and how to overcome it. Self-care includes activities like regular exercise, eating healthy foods, creating an environment for good sleep while giving yourself breaks to do what you want to do. As you prioritize your physical and emotional needs, your well-being can improve, and you can better manage symptoms of depression.

Though overcoming depression can take time and effort, it’s well worth the investment in yourself. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a qualified counselor today to get the help you need to overcome depression.