When you have depression, life feels like a constant struggle. In addition to dealing with internal feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness, and emptiness, you may experience some “embarrassing” symptoms of depression. Maybe you haven’t showered in days. Maybe you’re late to work every day because you can’t motivate yourself to get out of bed. Maybe you’re more forgetful. These are some of the outward signs of depression that the people around you tend to notice. The problem is most of those people are unaware that these issues are associated with your underlying mental health condition. As a result, you may end up being labeled in unkind ways. At Amen Clinics, patients with major depressive disorder often open up about their most “embarrassing” symptoms, behaviors, and traits. If you’ve experienced some of these same issues, it’s helpful to know that you aren’t alone. To help break the stigma and shame that comes with depression and other mental disorders, it’s important to be open about these cringe-inducing symptoms. In addition to dealing with internal feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness, and emptiness, you may experience some “embarrassing” symptoms of depression.

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7 EMBARRASSING SIGNS OF DEPRESSION

Based on tens of thousands of patients at Amen Clinics, here are 7 of the most common bad habits and unwanted behaviors depressed people say they experience.

1. Not bathing.

If you’re like many of the depressed patients at Amen Clinics, you may not be able to muster the energy to bathe on a daily basis. You might prefer to stay in your pajamas all day—especially if you’re working from home. You may also skip washing your hair or shaving, which can make you look unkempt. When Shelly, a 47-year-old attorney, visited Amen Clinics, she said, “I can go for days on end without even thinking about taking a shower. But then when I have to meet a client at the office, I realize how unprofessional I look, and I get embarrassed about my body odor.”

2. Gaining weight.

For some people, weight gain is the most mortifying side effect of depression. Among women, increased body mass index (BMI) is actually linked to a rise in suicidal thoughts, according to research in the American Journal of Public Health. Statistics from the CDC show that 43% of people with depression are obese, and adults who are depressed are at increased risk for obesity. What’s the connection? For 23-year-old Terra, eating was a way to try to fill the emptiness she felt inside, but it backfired. “All this extra weight makes me feel awful about myself. I don’t want to see any of my friends or family because I’m ashamed of the way I look, and I’m worried about what they might say to me,” she said. Treating clinical depression with antidepressants can make things worse as antidepressant medications list weight gain as a possible side effect. Being able to maintain a healthy weight is another reason why it is so important to look for natural ways to promote healthy moods.

3. Brain fog.

Do you find yourself forgetting what your spouse said to you 5 minutes ago? Do you have trouble following conversations? Do you feel mentally confused? Brain fog is a frustrating complaint among people with affective disorders. For Amen Clinics patient Jill, 43, brain fog was the most embarrassing aspect of depression. “Everything seems all mixed up in my head, and I can’t remember anything,” she said. “I feel stupid and don’t want to open my mouth for fear of saying something wrong.”

4. Sexual dysfunction.

Men and women both complain that depression causes a host of sexual problems. Even worse, commonly prescribed antidepressants can sabotage your sex life. You may have low or no sex drive, and it may take longer to achieve an orgasm if you are able to climax at all. Depression is also associated with erectile dysfunction, which can be a major source of embarrassment for men. “Having problems in the bedroom makes me feel so inadequate,” said 42-year-old Robbie, who sought help for his anxiety and depressive symptoms. “It’s so humiliating.”

5. Appearing flaky.

With depressed moods, it’s common to isolate yourself from other people. When asked if you want to join family or friends for an event, you may say “yes” and genuinely mean it. But when the time comes to get ready and head out the door, a sense of dread may descend over you, and you cancel your plans. “Bailing on plans at the last minute makes me seem flaky and unreliable,” said 50-year-old Blaine, a pilot who had always prided himself on being punctual and dependable. “I hate this version of myself.”

6. Being a bad employee.

Do you zone out on Zoom meetings? Are you always showing up late to work because you overslept or didn’t have the energy to get out of bed in the morning? Do you get irritated with your coworkers? Depression can wreak havoc with your ability to be productive and creative in your work. Jason, 25, sought treatment at Amen Clinics for clinical depression that had started when he was in college. He said, “I should have been excited about getting my first promotion at work after graduating from college. But my depression made it really hard for me to concentrate so I would miss my deadlines.” In addition, Jason said, “I felt so exhausted all the time that I would arrive late, then I started skipping work altogether. Eventually, I got demoted, which was so embarrassing.”

7. Snapping at my kids.

Irritability and anger are some of the most unrecognized depression symptoms of depression. However, research shows that about one-third of depressed people also experience moments of rage. Many Amen Clinics patients with mood disorders admit that they are quick to lose their temper and tend to yell, throw things, or slam the door. Anton, a 38-year-old computer programmer with two toddlers under the age of 5, didn’t realize that his depressive disorder was tied to his anger. “I get so irritated at the kids and I snap at them in front of other people,” he said. “Then I instantly regret it and feel so ashamed, like I’m a bad parent.”

OVERCOMING EMBARRASSING DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS

As these patients learned, you don’t have to continue suffering from embarrassing signs of depression. Understanding that your unwanted behaviors are, in fact, related to depression is one of the first steps to healing. In addition, the brain SPECT imaging work at Amen Clinics shows that depression is a brain-based disorder. It isn’t a character flaw, and it isn’t your fault. One of the biggest lessons from over 225,000 SPECT scans in the Amen Clinics database is the fact that depression is not just one thing. In fact, there are 7 types of depression. Knowing your depression type is one of the keys to getting the most effective treatment. Discovering this helped each of the Amen Clinics patients mentioned in this blog to overcome feelings of shame associated with their habits. That’s why it’s so important to seek help from mental health professionals who utilize brain imaging as a tool to help diagnose and treat mental health conditions. Targeted treatment for depression that involves natural solutions whenever possible can be the key to overcoming those embarrassing behaviors and feeling good about yourself again. Depression, brain fog, aggression, and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.