Depression is a very common mental health condition and lots of people all over the world suffer from it. However, societal pressure, myths, and taboos often stop the afflicted individuals from seeking help. At times, the reason for not consulting a doctor could be that the individual is unaware of the available treatment options or does not have access to this kind of treatment. Lack of family support could also be the reason for remaining quiet about the symptoms or seeking help.
Depression can be treated and many people get completely cured of the condition. It is always better to seek help early if you notice symptoms of mental health issues like depression. Look for a ‘psychiatrist near me for depression’ on the internet and you would be able to consult an experienced mental health doctor in no time.
The good news is that consulting a mental health expert online from the comfort of your home is extremely hassle-free and needs no help from others. Just search for ‘depression doctors near me on the net and you will get a list of highly experienced psychiatrists. Online consultation on DocGenie by renowned psychiatrists is highly private and extremely effective.
In this blog, we will discuss five warning signs of depression to help you understand and identify the symptoms if and when needed.
5 Common Warning Signs of Depression
1. Unexplained pain and aches
Many of us do not know that depression also affects our physical health. For instance, a very common warning sign is unexplained aches and pains in the body. Mental health experts agree that in most cases people suffering from depression first consult a doctor for unexplained pain, bloating, and backache. If you see these happening to you, it would be a good idea to consult a psychiatrist. If you are in Delhi, you can search ‘best psychiatrist doctor in Delhi’ for booking an appointment to consult an experienced mental health expert.
2. Lack of concentration
Forgetfulness, also called brain fog, is also a very common symptom of depression. Moreover, those afflicted with depression also suffer from an extreme inability to focus. For some, it becomes so bad that they are unable to perform their everyday duties at work or home. These individuals could go through phases when they get more prone to mistakes or face trouble making decisions.
3. Sleep disorders
Lack of sleep or oversleeping can be warning signs of depression. However, according to mental health experts, sleep disorders usually do not lead to depression but could cause mood swings and unsteadiness.
4. Changes in Appetite
Depression is known to strongly affect a person’s appetite. The condition can make some people binge uncontrollably while making others averse to food in general. Binging or starving, any sudden change in food habits could be a warning sign. This is a serious issue, as a change in appetite might affect the individual’s well-being in many ways. Even if an overweight person loses weight due to depression or an underweight individual gains weight as a result of depression, none of these are considered to be healthy signs.
5. Irritability and frequent change of mood
Not all short-tempered people suffer from depression. That said, random or unexplained bad temper is considered to be a very common sign of depression. If you get annoyed by innocuous little things or get agitated more often than usual, it could be because of underlying depression.
Mood swings and irritability can cause thoughts of self-harm, suicide, or harming another person. If you experience any of these feelings, try and get help from a mental health professional at the earliest.
Any of us can experience one or two of these symptoms at times. It might not be a cause for alarm. However, if you or any of your family members often suffer/s from four or more of these symptoms; it might be necessary to seek help from a mental health professional.
Also read: Simple Blood Tests Can Help Address Depression Better
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