Why do i feel depressed some days?

In this blog we will answer the question “Why do I feel depressed some days?”

We will also discuss some of the possible reasons why you might be feeling depressed and what you can do if you are struggling with depression.

Why do I feel depressed some days?

Some of the possible reasons why you might be feeling noticeable depressed some days could be because of the following reasons:

• Stress
• Biological changes
• Changing Seasons
• Illnesses
• Unresolved trauma
• Life changes
• Rumination
• Isolation

While it is normal to feel sad and dejected, i f you have been feeling a sense of overwhelming hopelessness and sadness more often these days and that it is getting in the way of your daily life, your relationships, and your responsibilities, it is possible that you might have depression. 

Let us discuss some of the possible reasons that could explain why you feel depressed some days.

High levels of stress

Depression has many possible causes. One of them being chronic stressful life situations  that can increase the risk of developing depression.

Stress is a normal psychological and physical reaction to situations in your life. It is neither a bad thing or a good thing. However what is dangerous is continuous or chronic stress in your life that you are unable to handle. 

Being in a state of continuous stress with these symptoms can lead to deteriorating health, continued low moods, decrease in productivity which can impact your occupational life and also cause strain in your relationships. 

These negative impacts can lead to feelings of hopelessness, dread, doom, and also feelings of worthlessness and the sense that one is a failure in their ability to cope with life all of which can be internalised, leading to developing depression and anxiety. 

Chemical and hormonal changes

Another reason why you are experiencing depression could be because of hormonal or chemical changes in your body such as in the case of Postpartum depression or if you have a uterus, it could be because of Premenstrual syndrome. 

Hormones levels of oestrogen and progesterone changes where one experiences a sharp drop back to their previous state when before and after childbirth or the week before menstruation. This could be a leading cause of depression when it is combined with the stress of being a new parent.

It is possible that you might be expereinceing baby blues, however if these feeling of sadness is coupled with hoplessness, suicidal ideation, apathy, for more than two weeks and it causes major dysfuntion in your life, it is possible that you mught have postpartum depression. 

On the other hand if you notice that you are depressed every single month before your periods and it is affecting your ability to work, maintain relationships, and manage your responsibilities, it is also possible that you have Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

The Changing Seasons/ Weather

One type of depression known as Seasonal Depression or Seasonal Affective disorder could be another reason why you feel down during cold and gloomy seasons such as the winter or the rainy season. 

Prolonged periods of poor weather can give us the blues without us realising that is the cause and If you live in a colder climate and you are a woman, you are more likely to be affected by the season.  

Illnesses

Researchers estimate that depression is one of the most common complications of chronic illness and that one-third of individuals with a serious medical condition have symptoms of depression.

It is speculated that this is because of the challenge of adjusting to the illness as well as the toll treatment can have on the individual. 

Chronic illnesses can become a limiting factor in an individual life and cost the person’s 

mobility (ability to move) and independence, change the way they live, see themselves and also impact their relationships. 

This can cause a lot of stress and emotional distress caused by a sense of despair or sadness. When there is a lack of support when someone with this chronic illnesses is faced with stress and hopelessness, it can lead to deeper experiences of depression. 

Unresolved Trauma

Unresolved trauma, be it experienced first hand or being a witness to it can cause individual to develop depression as well. 

Traumatic life events tend to impact an individual negatively and cause anxiety as a result of a sudden change in world view or the fear and anxiety that they faced during the traumatic event. 

Trauma survivors can become so scared that they develop a generalised anxiety or panic disorder which can limit their lives, cause a sense of hopelessness and despair due to the dysfunction it causes in one’s life and relationships thus leading to depression. 

Life circumstances

Life circumstances such as death of a loved one, or after a separation or divorce is challenging irrespective of who has left and who has been left behind. 

It is a major life event that can cause mental anguish and lead to what is known as “adjustment disorder or situational depression”- referring to depression that arises after a change in life circumstances such as a loss of a relationship or loss of a person.

The depression that occurs after separation, loss, and divorce is what is known as adjustment disorder or situational depression and it is different from clinical depression. 

Rumination

Another reason why one might be depressed could be because of the negative rumination.The practice of thinking deeply does not have any cause and effect relationship to depression. 

However, if you indulge in deep thinking without mindful awareness and intent and your process of thought turns more into overthinking and rumination, there is a likelihood that your thoughts might negatively impact your mood and cause the onset of depression.

When people tend to spend time overthinking every scenario in their lives based on these cognitive distortions, it can become a problem. Rumination, when it affects everyday life, can lead to mental health disorders such as depression.

For example, if your thoughts are impacting your sleep, your ability to socialise with others, or keeping you from eating well- it can lead to debilitating effects on your mental well-being.

Isolation

If we consider the relationship between solitude and depression, there is no direct relationship. It is not necessarily the case that solitude causes depression. 

There have been a number of studies that have shown that loneliness and isolation does impact an individual’s mental health. 

Loneliness in solitude is one of the reasons why people who isolate themselves experience low moods and this desire for social connection is what causes much mental and emotional distress. 

Loneliness while also wanting social connection tends to be caused by involuntary separation, rejection, or abandonment by other people. For example, social isolation due to the pandemic, loss of a parent or a recent break up that you did not want etc.

What to do if you feel depressed some days?

A few things that we can do on an individual’s level to manage and maintain our mental health include:

Seek out therapeutic care

Understanding your condition and diagnosis and Engaging with a therapist, being diligent with your medication, and making the changes you need to make to get better will determine your prognosis.

Your therapist will help you understand what is happening to you, might prescribe you medication if needed, and can help you tap into your own strengths that can help you adapt to challenges, changes, and overcome them.

Join a support group

Another thing you can do for yourself is to join a support group of people struggling with depression so that you can experience emotional support first hand within these communities and over time learn how to manage your challenges by learning from each other. 

By joining a group that is open, empathetic, and growing towards healing, you and your experiences can be an excellent sense of support to someone else who is also in their early part of their journey. 

Seek out positive relationships

Like seeking out support in groups, seek out positive relationships in your life that do not judge and rather support you as you get better.

These can be friends, family and even past coworkers who offer support and a shoulder to learn on when you need it. 

These positive relationships can enable you to heal as well as help you as you move forward in life. 

Focus on resting and recovering

Take time to eat well, rest well, exercise, give time to yourself to think and engage in things you used to like doing before you started working- be it reading comics, or playing video games, or walking your pet.

Take effort to engage in things that you love doing, explore new activities if you feel like it and explore the world around you. 

Conclusion

In this blog we have answered the question “Why do I feel depressed some days?”

We also discussed some of the possible reasons why you might be feeling depressed and what you can do if you are struggling with depression.

FAQ related to why do I feel depressed some days

Is it normal to have down days?

Yes, in everyday life it’s completely normal to have down days especially when you have a hard and stressful day. However it is not normal when you down days last more than two weeks and impact your day to day funcitoning. 

Can depression change from day to day?

Yes, depression can change from day to day and it is known as atypical depression where an individual might experience emotional ups and downs- highs and lows- even when one is depressed. 

References

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Nelson, J., Klumparendt, A., Doebler, P., & Ehring, T. (2020). Everyday emotional dynamics in major depression. Emotion, 20(2), 179–191. doi:10.1037/emo0000541.supp (Supplemental).

Leonard.J. How to cope with a depressive episode. Medical news today.  Retrieved on 25th march 2022. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322495

Holland.K. What You Need to Know If Your Depression Feels Debilitating. Healthline. Retrieved on 30th March 2022. https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/crippling-depression#causes

Raypole.C. Loneliness and Depression: What’s the Connection? Healthline. Retrieved on 28th March 2022. https://www.healthline.com/health/loneliness-and-depression. 

 Pietrangelo.A. Everything You Need to Know About Postpartum Depression.Healthline.  December 6, 2016. Retrieved on 30th March 2022. 

https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/postpartum-depression#treatment

Can chronic stress cause depression? Mayo Clinic. Retrieved on 30th March 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/expert-answers/stress/faq-20058233

How Trauma Can Lead to Depression. EverydayHealth. Retrieved on 30th March 2022. https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/how-trauma-leads-to-depression.aspx

Chronic Illness and Depression. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved on 30th March 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9288-chronic-illness-and-depression

Family History and Depression: What’s the Link? Premier health. Retrieved on 30th March 2022. https://www.premierhealth.com/your-health/articles/women-wisdom-wellness-/family-history-and-depression-what-s-the-link-