Depressed people tend to seek solitude because everything in life feels like such a huge effort, and they might feel embarrassed about it. If your partner is someone who is social, and all of a sudden you see them isolating or escaping into solitary activities, that could be a sign of depression. Signs of withdrawal might include sleeping more and watching television more often. Look out for any other escape patterns that seem uncharacteristic.
Depression is exhausting. It takes a tremendous amount of energy to complete daily tasks. It’s like pushing a boulder up a hill. This fatigue may also be caused by changes in sleep patterns, which tend to be associated with depression. In fact, research suggests that insomniacs are 10 times more likely to develop depression than those who sleep normally.
Has your punctual partner developed a new habit of being tardy? There might be more to the story. “Many depressed people have a difficult time getting motivated to do anything and can begin to run late; many depressed people also have trouble getting up in the morning as they feel immobilized by their sadness and fatigue.
