The year 2020 was mostly spent at home. Everyone was working from home, taking classes online, and spending time with the family. While things might have gone smoothly for some, many people have been suffering from mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Mental health issues are often not diagnosed or ignored because of a lack of awareness. It is believed that being sad means you are depressed; however, other signs show that even a person who looks happy can be fighting an illness. So to know more about depression, here are some signs to look for;

Weight and Appetite Changes

Weight changes are one of the signs doctors use to diagnose depression. Some people gain weight during an episode of depression; this may be a product of appetite changes and lower physical activity due to a lack of energy. Other people might experience the opposite, i.e., loss of weight and appetite. Sadness can affect different people differently, but it is essential to understand that weight changes are not a sign of sorrow. It is a sign of a much deeper state of mind, i.e., depression. 

Sleep Changes

Sleep is one of the first things that gets affected when we are stressed out, anxious, or depressed. Normal sleep often helps us combat fatigue, restore our energies, and have a fresh outlook on life when we wake up the next morning. Clinical depression interferes with this standard mechanism. It may cause you to become sleepless and spend nights just turning in the bed wondering and feeling drained the next day, or it makes you sleep excessively. In either case, you never feel rested. If you experience this daily and more prolonged than two weeks, it might be because of clinical depression. Visit your doctor to get evaluated.    

Irritability

Sadness is not the only way depression manifests itself; it can also present as irritability. This is especially true for men. Depression can cause irritability, escapist or risky behavior, substance abuse, or misplaced anger in this gender. Men are also less likely than women to recognize depression or seek treatment for it. If you know a loved one feeling that way or experiencing this yourself, don’t be afraid to reach out, there is always help available. 

Lack of Interest 

Depression can cause many changes in behavior. Many people going through this experience report a complete and total lack of interest in their own lives and their loved ones. Things that they always enjoyed doing, such as painting, talking to friends, spending time with family, watching Netflix, etc., don’t feel pleasurable anymore. Depression also causes people to feel guilty about their actions or inactions. A combination of guilt, fatigue, and lack of interest becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy causing a person to spiral into the depths of sadness and despair. But it is also essential to keep in mind that no matter how bad you think things have become, there is nothing that can’t be fixed. 

Mental health is vital. In the last few months, there has been a rise in mental health issues globally. The illness not only affects you mentally but will affect you physically as well. So, it is important to understand your feelings and learn more about them. The best thing to do is to visit a psychiatrist or psychologist. To make things easier for you, sign up for a good health insurance policy quote that provides you coverage in times of need and offers free screenings. So go and get yours now!