Everyone goes through hard times and feels stressed or down from time to time, especially during these long summer days of extreme heat. But if these feelings continue for weeks and are getting in the way of your day-to-day activities and relationships, you might be suffering from depression or an anxiety disorder.
If you often feel sad, lonely or nervous, talk with your doctor about these symptoms. Sometimes, these symptoms are a medication side-effect or other minor condition that your doctor can easily treat.
However, these symptoms occasionally indicate a more serious condition. Don’t wait until they become unbearable before seeking medical advice. Your doctor is here for you.
Signs that You May Be Depressed
Talk with your doctor if you have any of these symptoms:
- Feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt, loneliness or hopelessness that last for weeks at a time
- Loss of interest in doing things that you usually enjoy
- Sleeping problems, which could include trouble getting out of bed, falling asleep or staying asleep
- Feeling tired and having low energy most of the time
- Not feeling hungry or overeating
- Thoughts of hurting yourself
Feeling Nervous All the Time? You’re Not Alone
It’s normal to feel anxious or stressed occasionally. These feelings can be caused by family- or work-related stress, health problems or medication side-effects. The cause is not always easy to identify and can appear suddenly or last for long periods. It can significantly impact your relationships, work and health.
If this is you, you’re not alone. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting more than 40 million adults in the U.S., or nearly 20% of the population every year.
Signs that You May Have an Anxiety Disorder
Talk with your doctor if you have any of these symptoms:
- Unexplained chest pains, headaches, stomach or bowel problems
- You feel nervous or on edge most of the time
- Uncontrollable worrying keeps you from sleeping or relaxing
- Feelings of restlessness
- You become easily annoyed or angered
- You feel afraid that something awful might happen
Your Doctor Can Help
You don’t have to suffer through this alone. If you’re having any of the above symptoms, see your doctor. Together you can decide if medication, counseling, lifestyle changes or a combination of these would work best for you.
