Episode 19: How to Identify Depression 🥀
#RootedForGrowth #DepressionAwareness #FaithAndMentalHealth
🎙 Listen to the full episode below ⬇️
Depression is often called the “common cold” of mental health… but for those who experience it, the weight feels far from common. It doesn’t just affect the mind — it impacts the body, emotions, and spirit. Because depression can show up in so many different ways, it is often overlooked or dismissed. Learning how to identify depression is the first step toward healing.
Understanding Depression Beyond Sadness
When many people hear the word “depression,” they think of sadness or grief. But depression is broader and deeper. According to the DSM-5-TR, major depression involves at least five symptoms present during the same two-week period, representing a change from previous functioning. These can include:
Persistent feelings of emptiness, hopelessness, or worthlessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities
Significant changes in sleep (too much or too little)
Noticeable changes in appetite or weight
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation
Not everyone will experience all of these symptoms. Some may appear subtle, like withdrawing from friends, while others may be more visible, like changes in appearance or routine.
The Hidden Nature of Depression
One of the challenges of identifying depression is that it often hides behind everyday life. A person can go to work, post on social media, and smile in conversations while feeling numb inside. It isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes, it’s simply the slow fading of joy, motivation, and hope.
This hidden quality is why awareness matters so much. When we learn the signs, we can recognize depression in ourselves and extend compassion to those around us who may be silently struggling.
Faith and Mental Health Together
Scripture does not ignore the reality of despair. King David’s words in the Psalms often echo the cries of a heart weighed down by depression:
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him” (Psalm 42:5).
“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
Even the most faithful can wrestle with feelings of heaviness and emptiness. But these verses remind us that God is not distant. He meets us in our pain, holds space for our cries, and promises His presence in the valley.
Why Identification Matters
Identifying depression is not about labeling someone as “weak.” It’s about naming what is real. When we can call depression what it is, we create room for treatment, support, and hope. This can open the door to counseling, medical care, spiritual guidance, or simply the chance to say, “I’m not okay, and that’s worth paying attention to.”
When we identify depression, we also remind ourselves and others that healing is possible. What is hidden can be brought into the light. What feels overwhelming can be carried together.
Take the Next Step
📩 Tomorrow’s newsletter will feature a more detailed write-up on depression, including practical ways to respond if you or someone you love is struggling. Sign up at WhitmanCollective.com/signup.
🎙 Listen to the full episode here:
