As the UK braces for the notoriously gloomy third Monday in January, known as 'Blue Monday', a leading mental health expert has shared crucial guidance to help people recognise early symptoms of depression.
Understanding the Blue Monday Phenomenon
The concept of Blue Monday, allegedly coined by a travel firm in 2004, marks the day many consider the year's most depressing. With festive cheer a distant memory, persistent dreary weather, early darkness, and post-Christmas financial strains, it's a period where countless individuals find themselves struggling.
While the specific date may be a marketing construct, Professor Ahmed Hankir, a consultant psychiatrist with over 426,000 TikTok followers, stresses that the underlying challenges to wellbeing in January are very real. In a recent video highlighted by the Express, he detailed three critical early warning signs that someone may be developing depression.
The Three Early Indicators of Depression
1. A Profound Drop in Energy and Motivation
"Depression can drain all the energy out of your body," Professor Hankir explains. This isn't just physical tiredness from little exertion, but a deep emotional and mental exhaustion. He notes that affected individuals often lack the drive to get out of bed and can spend entire days lying down, unable to engage with daily life.
2. Loss of Interest and Pleasure (Anhedonia)
This symptom involves losing all enjoyment in activities and hobbies once loved. Professor Hankir describes anhedonia as "a complete absence of pleasure" that would normally come from favourite meals or intimacy with a partner. It's the opposite of hedonism, representing a hollowing out of joy.
3. Severe Difficulty Concentrating
Depression can severely impact focus, making a person seem absent or "spaced out." "They can struggle with following a conversation because they are seemingly lost in the vortices of their depressed minds," says Hankir. The concentration issues can be so acute they mimic dementia, a state known as pseudo-dementia, which typically resolves once the underlying depression is treated.
Seeking Help and Support
Professor Hankir emphasises that experiencing one or more of these signs does not guarantee a depression diagnosis, but it does indicate a need for attention. Your first port of call should be your GP, who can assess you and recommend a suitable treatment plan. This may involve talking therapies, medication, or a combination of approaches.
Numerous charities also offer support. The Hub of Hope service (hubofhope.co.uk) can help you locate mental health services in your local area.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E immediately. For confidential, 24-hour support, the Samaritans can be reached for free on 116 123.
