Many people who are depressed remain undiagnosed because symptoms are not recognized as mental health.
You should seek help if these symptoms have been present for a period of two weeks or longer:
Unexplained aches and pains Depression has clearly physical manifestations. In one study 69 percent of people who met the criteria for depression consulted a doctor for aches and pains. Mood disorders can show up in surprising symptoms like bloating, backaches, or joint pain.
Difficulty concentrating We all have times where we forget our best friend’s name or put our car keys in the fridge. We may have days where we experience brain fog or are scatterbrained. Depression can involve an inability to concentrate that impairs work or school performance. You might make more mistakes or have difficulty making decisions.
Difficulty sleeping One of the primary symptoms of depression is sleep disturbance. Some people will sleep too much and some too little. Sleep disorders don’t in themselves cause depression, but insomnia, irregular sleep, or oversleeping all play a role in mood fluctuations.
Changes in appetite Some people binge on donuts, ice cream, and other folks stare at their dinner plate with absolutely no appetite or interest in food. Either way, a significant change in appetite can be a sign of depression.
Irritability, agitation, and moodiness Not everyone who snaps at you is depressed, but another red flag of depression is irritability, agitation, and mood swings. Seemingly little things can set you off like a loud conversation or an itchy tag on your sweater. That anger can turn into thoughts of self-harm or wanting to harm someone else.
These are common red flags, however, depression manifests itself differently in each person, and with varying intensity and duration of episodes.
Please reach out because we can help you orangefamilyhealth@gmail.com
If you need immediate help
DIAL 911
Suicide Prevention Hotline Talk: 1-800-273-8255
Suicide line: 1-800-784-2433
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