Did you know you could be suffering from depression without feeling sad? Mental health is a concern anytime, but especially during an isolating pandemic like COVID-19. Be sure to speak with your physician right away if you have any of these warning signs.
- Are You Overly Anxious?
We all have moments of excitement or nervous energy. The key is to pay attention to the duration and frequency as well as related events that may be the source of your anxiety. For example, extra stress at work or in a relationship, even if it is a good kind of stress, can cause anxiety. However, if the anxiety is ongoing and you cannot point to a specific stressor in your life or pattern, it could be a sign of depression. - Have People Noticed a Significant Shift in Your Attitude or Mood Lately?
When doctors say a “shift in mood”, they mean something persistent that is not how you typically act or feel and is not tied to any known changes. - Did You Recently Lose Interest in Your Favorite Activities?
Skipping your workouts or meet-ups with friends on occasion because you don’t “feel up to it” is expected. A sign of depression would be experiencing a reduced interest in the activities you usually love on a regular basis. - Have You Noticeably Gained or Lost Interest in Eating?
Your eating habits are tied to your mental health in many ways. If you are not trying to lose or gain weight and you have noticed a big difference in your daily caloric intake, be sure to mention the difference to your physician. - How’s Your Self-Esteem?
Everyone has things they would change or improve about themselves. After all, no one is perfect. That said, if you struggle to find things you like about yourself or you focus obsessively on past mistakes, parts of your life or body you wish were different, or other negative self-talk issues, you could be experiencing depression. Reaching out to your physician or a counselor can help you get back on track to a more fulfilling life. - Do You Sleep Well?
There are a number of reasons why you could be tired during the day after a good night’s rest. On the other hand, your sleep patterns say a lot about your overall health. Try wearing a sleep monitoring device to bed and share your findings along with your level of energy during the day with your physician to help determine if depression may be part of the underlying issue. - Are You Having Aches & Pains Without a Known Cause?
Just like interruptions in our eating and sleep cycles, our bodies can respond to stress and mood swings with physical pain or muscle spasms. If you are frequently in pain without a clear medical diagnosis or source emerging from your appointments with a physician, you may be suffering from depression. - Have You Been Focusing on Death or Suicide-Related Thoughts?
Although death is a part of life, continually thinking about the idea of death or how to bring about the end of your life is a warning sign of depression that should not be ignored. - Do You Notice More Negative Emotions Than Positive?
Some people believe they are just negative by nature when they could be battling depression. Finding out if depression is the cause of your negative outlook on life and emotional responses is beneficial in that there are ways to treat depression resulting in healthier emotions about yourself, your relationships, your future, and the world around you. - Are You Struggling in School?
For school-aged children or those adults enrolled in continuing education, signs of depression can oftentimes be mistaken for lack of interest. Signs might include consistently coming in late to class or missing class altogether, having less energy to perform well on projects and assignments, or exhibiting behavioral problems.
What’s the Big Deal With Depression?
You may be wondering if you should contact your physician with the above symptoms because you believe you have it all under control or this is just part of who you are. However, both depression and high anxiety can keep you from living up to your potential in life and realizing your dreams. Furthermore, mental health disorders like depression can prevent you from establishing healthy relationships and lifestyle habits. At worst, depression can lead to suicide.
If you answered yes to any of the above questions and you do not currently have a physician in the Lake Wales, Florida area, call (863) 949-6541 today to schedule an appointment to speak with Dr. Navarro. You deserve to experience life with your optimal mental health and all the wonderful possibilities that life can bring! Don’t wait for depression to take hold. Call (863) 949-6541 or use our contact page to learn more now!