Viraldice: 20 Very Unexpected Symptoms of Mental Illnesses You Probably Never Knew

ental illness in the United States is surprisingly common. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), an estimated 43.8 million people experience mental illness a year. That's 18.5 percent, or (to be more precise) one in five people. Even more alarming, most of these illnesses aren't immediately visible. While people may experience a lot of stereotypical symptoms, there are however, some other warning signs that are not as apparent.

Depression

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in America, and it’s also one of the most easily missed. While most people would describe it as a prolonged period of sadness, it’s much more than that, and it’s definitely not one you can “snap out of” as many people erroneously think.

It also has some very strange symptoms.

1. Depressed people use the first person more frequently

People with depression are more likely to use first person pronouns such as I, me and myself instead of the second and third person like he, she and them. Scientists theorize that this is because depressed people are more likely to focus inwards than outwards.

Oh, and they use negative adjectives and adverbs like “hurt”, “lonely” or “miserable” a lot.

2. Depressed people are more likely to use black and white filters on social media

Depressed people are less likely to use filters on Instagram when they post pictures, but when they do, they tend to choose black and white filters. They were also less likely to post pictures of their faces.

3. Depressed people are more likely to be tired

Depressed people spend a lot of time in bed, and when they do sleep, they wake up tired, and no wonder. Many depressed people suffer from rumination, or cycling thoughts, so imagine having to constantly fight a mental battle that doesn’t allow you to sleep properly.

4. You don't feel anything

Most people associate depression with deep sadness, but did you know that apathy, or a lack of emotion, is a symptom too? If you’re just going through the motions with no interest in anything for days on end, this might be a sign of depression.