By Everything Lifestyle Staff

Mood

How to Tell If It’s More Than Just a Bad Mood

Dec 9, 2024 | 6:43 AM

We all feel down on occasion, but here’s how to recognize when it’s time for a mental health check-up.

We’ve all had those days when nothing seems to be going right – when all we want to do is climb into bed, pull the covers over our head and shut out the world. But when feelings of hopelessness, frustration, fatigue, anxiety and general unease persist and they can’t be alleviated with feel-good activities like exercise, a girls’ night out or a good night’s sleep, there may be something more serious going on.

Here are 6 ways to identify whether it’s just a bad mood… or if it’s time for a mental-health checkup.

1. When you’re eating way more or much less than usual. While some people may occasionally self-soothe by overeating, others find they don’t have the desire or energy to lift a fork to their mouth. If this is more the norm than the exception, it may be a sign that you’re depressed.
2. When you’re constantly irritated at even the smallest things. It’s easy to get frustrated when our lives are filled with non-stop family and work commitments, but those suffering from depression tend to blow tiny inconveniences out of proportion.
3. When all you can think about is sleeping or you’re not sleeping at all. Along with chronic depression comes feeling of intense fatigue and getting out of bed is a daily battle for some people – one that’s often lost. For others, severe anxiety and restlessness mean they can’t settle down long enough to get the prolonged sleep they need.
4. When something hurts and you have no idea why. Depression can manifest itself in unexplained aches and pains. Additionally, some medical conditions, like vitamin D deficiency and hyperthyroidism, may cause depression-like symptoms that typically diminish when the condition is treated.
5. When your focus and concentration take a hit. If you are affected by changes in sleep, diet and physical pain, and everything irritates you, it’s tough to focus on work or school, clean the house or get the simplest errands done.
6. When you can’t find joy in the things that once made you happy. Depression can cause a lack of interest in your once-favorite hobbies or activities or spending time with friends and family.

If you notice these signs of depression in yourself or in someone close to you, it’s a good idea to speak to a medical professional for a mental health evaluation. Recognizing the signs and getting help is the first step towards feeling better.

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_{Medical Review: Perry Pitkow, MD}