It's Time For A Mental Health Check
Always remember to put yourself first. If you feel like you've been a little down lately, take a breather and take care of yourself. Too often do we forget to look after ourselves, leading to numerous mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. Today, let's do a mental health check. It's time to do some self-reflection and check in on our mental state. Here are 20 of the most common symptoms of depression you should be looking out for. And keep in mind, always get professional help if needed.
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1. You Feel Exhausted All The Time
No matter how much sleep or rest you get, if you're dealing with depression, you always feel tired. Everything just feels incredibly draining, regardless of how much you put your mind to it.
2. You Have Trouble Sleeping
One of the most common symptoms of depression is insomnia, a sleeping disorder characterized by the inability to fall or stay asleep. And it makes sense - when your mind is running 100 miles an hour stressing or overthinking about things, it makes it incredibly hard to get some good sleep.
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3. You Don't Enjoy The Same Things Anymore
If your favorite hobbies like reading, knitting, or painting don't give you joy anymore, don't ignore those signs. It could be a symptom of depression. People with this mental illness often find it a lot harder to feel happy, even if it's doing things that once cheered you up.
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4. You Feel Antsy or Restless
Don't be fooled - depression doesn't always look the same in everybody. While some may grow to become sluggish, others become antsy and restless, almost as if they're anxious all the time. It's not something to overlook either. It can seriously start interfering with your everyday life if it becomes too much.
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5. You Zone Out A Lot
Do you find yourself spacing out more and more frequently? It doesn't matter where you are, whether you're with friends, at work, or home alone, you just find your mind wanders. The inability to concentrate at the task at hand could be a symptom worth discussing with a doctor.
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6. You Get Irritated Easily
Sometimes, it might feel like your emotions are all over the place. It's almost as if everyone is trying to rub the wrong nerve. If you feel like you're getting annoyed, frustrated, or upset a lot easier than ever before, it's time to do some self-reflection and think about your mental state. If you need help, always seek out a professional.
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7. You Struggle With Decisions
Depression can affect you in more ways than just one. It does so much more than make you feel sad or lonely, it can even go as far as to create problems with your decision-making. Because depression can make you feel overwhelmed, the simplest choices like choosing where to eat or what to do after dinner can feel like too much.
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8. You Don't Crave Intimacy
While this definitely changes from person to person, if you notice your sex drive has significantly decreased, it's something to pay attention to. We already mentioned how depression can make you lose interest or enjoyment in past hobbies, and unfortunately, physical intimacy is an act included in that.
9. You Keep Looking Down On Yourself
One of the most recognizable symptoms of depression is negativity. If you're noticing that you keep talking down to yourself or engage in negative self-talk, you need to reach out for help immediately. It's a dangerous spiral you don't want to go down.
10. You Don't Feel Like Doing Anything
If you're feeling depressed, it can seem like doing anything feels impossible. It's because you're lacking that motivation to get up and get things done. It's not uncommon to hear that those with depression struggle to get up and running.
11. You're Overeating
You've probably heard of the slang term "eating your feels," before, but what you may not have realized is that it's more serious than it sounds. People with depression often engage in overeating or binge eating. That's because they find comfort in eating delicious or tasty foods that might cheer them up temporarily in that moment.
12. You're Turning To Alcohol
It's sad to say, but substance abuse like drinking alcohol is very common with those suffering from depression. A lot of people crave that temporary feeling of carefreeness that comes with being drunk, despite all the negative health consequences involved. Always ask for help if you feel like you're turning to alcohol more and more often for comfort. It's not a healthy habit to get into.
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13. You're Experiencing Physical Symptoms
Depression doesn't just have to do with emotional pain, it can evolve into physical symptoms too. Most will experience physical pains like headaches, digestive issues, or random muscle aches. All of these are likely caused by the stress and anxiety put on your body.
14. You Have A Low Self-Esteem
And with all that negative self-talk going on, it's not surprising to learn that most people with depression also deal with a low self-esteem. This usually comes with being too hard on yourself, struggling to love who you are, and feeling confident in your own body. Having a low self-esteem can be more dangerous than you'd imagine.
15. You Never Feel Like Eating
While overeating is definitely a possible symptom of depression, the opposite can be true too. Some people experience a loss of appetite instead. The less motivated you feel to do anything, the less you care about looking after your own well-being. It's a dangerous cycle to be stuck in.
16. You Don't Feel Like Seeing Friends
It's pretty common for people with depression to want to avoid everyone. It's not just friends, it's family, coworkers, everyone. The reason can vary from person to person too. Maybe it's too much work, it's too overwhelming, or you just don't feel like you're in the mood to be around others.
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17. You Don't Feel Like Yourself Anymore
Losing your sense of self can feel like a very scary thing. The things you once liked don't bring you joy anymore, you struggle to get along with yourself, and you don't feel like you have control anymore. If you're feeling any of these things, it's time to talk to a professional and get some help. There's nothing more terrifying than feeling like you don't have power over your own mind and body.
18. You Feel Hopeless
Life is all about setting goals and looking forward to the future. If you're just not feeling any excitement anymore and are even veering towards feeling empty and hopeless, it's time to check in on your mental health. Think about why you're feeling this way, what might be causing it, and what your next steps should be. Don't be afraid to see a therapist or councillor for advice.
19. You're Experiencing More Anxiety
Unfortunately, anxiety and depression often go hand in hand with one another. With most things becoming too overwhelming, you'll likely experience anxiety attacks or feelings of nervousness much more often. Anxiety can often be characterized by feelings of panic, an increased heart rate and breathing, shaking, and sweating.
20. You Have Trouble Remembering Things
Because your mind might feel a bit jumbled and all over the place, if you suffer from depression, you'll likely have trouble with your memory. Having to remember little things throughout the day suddenly feels a lot harder than usual. It might feel like your brain is being foggy 24/7.
