Recognizing the Signs of Depression and When to Seek Professional Help

When people seek treatment, they often feel better. More than 80 percent of people who are treated for depression improve.

Recognizing the symptoms of a mental health problem can be difficult, particularly when everyone experiences and copes with them differently. However, persistent sadness or extreme anger unrelated to a particular event can be warning signs of a mental health problem.

Depression

Depression is a widespread mental health condition that can have terrible consequences for people who experience it. Depression symptoms include hopelessness or despair, exhaustion, difficulty concentrating, and a loss of interest in favored activities.

Depression can affect men, women, and people of all ages. The symptoms may look different between people, however. For instance, men and women may express their sadness differently, but both may experience more irritability or anger as a coping mechanism. Both may also experience a lack of energy or a change in appetite.

It’s essential to recognize the signs of depression and know when should you see a therapist because they can cause serious problems, such as thoughts of suicide. If you know someone with these thoughts, encourage them to seek help immediately. Ensure they’re in a safe environment and have no access to weapons or anything else they could use to harm themselves.

Medication or psychotherapy are both effective treatments for depression. It’s essential to find a healthcare provider who has experience treating depression and is familiar with the patient’s medical history.

Anxiety

While anxiety is natural and a healthy stress response, it becomes problematic when it occurs regularly or causes severe discomfort. If you or a loved one experiences these symptoms daily and it’s interfering with day-to-day activities, you should seek professional help. A mental health professional can help treat anxiety disorders with cognitive-behavioral therapy.

A therapist can also help you break the cycle of negative thinking and feelings by teaching you techniques to manage anxious thoughts, such as reframing them more positively. For example, if you think you will fail your presentation at work, a therapist can teach you that this fear is irrational and likely not to happen.

Discussing any symptoms with your primary care physician to rule out any underlying medical conditions is crucial. A doctor can do testing to rule out asthma, thyroid issues, or low blood sugar as potential causes. They can also recommend a therapist experienced in treating anxiety disorders.

Insomnia

Insomnia is often a sign of a more serious health issue than fatigue, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. It can also make people less focused and alert during the day.

It’s essential to see a doctor who can assess the cause of the insomnia and recommend a treatment. Usually, the first step is short-term cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), which can reduce heightened anxiety and worry at night that keeps you awake or exacerbates sleep difficulties.

It may include techniques for changing self-perpetuating behaviors that perpetuate insomnia, such as taking too many naps or going to bed too late and teaching you healthier sleeping habits.

Sometimes, a physical condition causes insomnia, such as temporary illness, or medications that interfere with sleep, such as some antidepressants and medications for pain or high blood pressure. 

Fatigue

Fatigue is an extremely common symptom and can be caused by many things. It can be a symptom of a physical problem or related to stress or depression. People should see their healthcare provider if they cannot function normally because of fatigue.

A person feeling tired should keep a diary of when they are most or least tired so that their healthcare practitioner can learn more about the situation. In addition to performing a physical exam to check for disease or illness symptoms, the practitioner may also inquire in-depth about the patient’s diet, way of life, sleeping habits, and drugs they are currently taking.

People feeling mentally exhausted should seek help if their fatigue is becoming more frequent and they cannot cope with daily activities. Some health conditions that can cause mental exhaustion include fibromyalgia, anxiety, and depression. Stress and irritability can also contribute to fatigue, so people suffering from these conditions should try to find ways to manage their stress.

Eating Disorders

There are many different eating disorders, each with its symptoms. Some red flags for an eating disorder include using food to cope with stress, being unable to maintain a healthy weight, or engaging in unhealthy behaviors like bingeing and purging. People of all ages can struggle with these conditions, and it is essential to seek help early to prevent serious physical health problems.

A psychologist or a clinical psychologist with tertiary qualifications is the best option. A psychiatrist may also be able to provide treatment, depending on their level of medical training.

Eating disorders are severe, biologically influenced illnesses. They can result in serious, occasionally fatal, health problems if not managed. Treatments include psychotherapy, nutritional counseling, and medications.

Anxiety and depression symptoms, which frequently co-occur with eating disorders, can be reduced with the help of medications like antidepressants. In addition, a dietitian with a specialization in eating disorders can help improve food choices and develop healthy meal plans.