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How to Recognize the Signs of Having a Mood Disorder

Being in a bad mood isn’t really something to worry about. It happens to all of us. When you’re stressed at work and don’t have time for your family or can’t do things that you’re passionate about, you can’t really help to feel a bit down every now and then. The question is, how do you know if you’re just experiencing the occasional burnout or you’re already showing signs of depression? This is exactly what this guide is all about. We try to discuss some of the early signs of a mood disorder like depression and how you can recognize it.

What is Depression?

Many people worldwide suffer from mood disorders today, and the most common one that’s ever diagnosed is depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, over a million people in the United States are diagnosed with depression each year. It wasn’t always this way, though. Depression and all mood disorders weren’t recognized until the mid-1900s when the concept of mental illness was first developed.

Depression is characterized by sadness, a lack of interest in things you once loved, difficulty concentrating, loss of appetite, and too much sleep.

However, if you only experience one or two of these symptoms, it’s not really something you should worry about. Many people often feel sad after a bad breakup, at a time when they’re changing jobs or have financial problems. However, if these symptoms are experienced almost every day, for more than two weeks, then you should see a doctor.

How Do You Know if You Have Depression?

Sadly, there is no single test that can tell you if you’re depressed or not. The most common way to detect depression is by conducting a complete physical and psychological examination. Your doctor will want to know your complete medical history, as well as your current habits, feelings, thoughts, and emotions.

This can often be difficult to do, especially if you don’t want others to know that you’re suffering from a mood disorder. The most common ways to recognize depression are by asking yourself these questions and see if they sound familiar to you:

  • Are you feeling sad a lot of the time?
  • Do you have feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness?
  • Are you crying a lot?
  • Do you have no interest in things you used to enjoy?
  • Do you have problems focusing on tasks that are important at work?
  • Do you have trouble sleeping?
  • Do you have no appetite and have lost weight?
  • Do you have problems remembering things or concentrating?

If you answer yes to five or more of these questions, there’s a high probability that you have depression.

Why is it Important to Know the Signs of Depression?

Until now, we’ve had to classify people as “sad†or not. But it’s become clear that it’s not as simple as that. Mood disorders like depression are far from being a normal feeling of sadness. The symptoms of depression are so strong that they affect your entire life and the lives of those around you. It’s important to recognize the signs of depression so that you can take steps to get treatment before it’s too late.

The sad truth is that depression is a very serious mental health issue, especially if left untreated. People who suffer from depression have an increased risk of death by suicide, caused by poor health. Many circumstances may trigger this, including financial loss, the loss of a loved one, the feeling that you’re not good enough, and so on. The most important thing to remember is that if you feel you’re depressed every day for more than two weeks, you need to see a doctor and get treated.

The Bottom Line–Seek Help as Soon as You Can

If you or someone you know is showing signs of having depression, seek out help. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Sadly, depression takes too many lives each year, and it’s important that you recognize the signs of depression.

Amodeus Healthcare is here to provide medical and psychiatric services to the Londonderry, NH community. By offering patient-centered care to our patients, we make sure you get the kind of medical and psychiatric services you need. Contact us today to book an appointment!