People with PDD may display the following symptoms:
- Mood changes
- Persistent sadness
- Loss of interest in social activities
- Occasional isolation
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Difficulty sleeping or staying awake
- Low self-esteem
These are minimal depression symptoms that wax and wane. You may recognize these symptoms as PDD seasonal depression, or something in between. You may feel down most days or fine some days. This can be a constant feeling for a period of two years. People with high-functioning depression also go through the following:
- Most of the time, your mood is down.
- The feeling of happiness doesn’t last long, and it sometimes co-exists with sadness that seems to have no relief.
- Even with enough rest or sleep, you still feel tired.
- On some days, you just feel lethargic or unable to function normally. It’s a struggle to get out of bed or perform any tasks.
- You may be able to deliver or accomplish your work for the day, but it’s a struggle to do so.
- You feel hopeless, unworthy, and not deserving of happiness.
- You may be able to socialize a little, but only after forcing yourself. You prefer isolation occasionally or less crowded.
- Sometimes, you cry a lot for no apparent reason.
- If left undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to substance use, difficulties maintaining a relationship, or troubles at school, at home, and at work.
You have become familiar with the routines and emotions, so you choose to live with them. You may believe that your condition is not severe enough to warrant medical management of depression. In reality, you need help more than ever, or the condition will catch up on you one way or the other. The persistent feeling of sadness and hopelessness can become unbearable, leading to suicidal thoughts.
