Author: Heather
Category: Anxiety
Published Date: 08/16/2019
Comments: 41
This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product using one of our affiliate links we will receive a small commission from your purchase which helps us to provide this website as a service to you for free. We appreciate your support!
I recently spoke about the things you shouldn’t say to those that suffer from anxiety, but what if you aren’t sure if they are actually suffering? You may be surprised by this, but according to the ADAA, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States, or 18.1% of the population every year. What this means is, someone, if not multiple people in your life, are suffering from some type of anxiety or depression. And they may be doing such a great job of hiding it, you don’t even realize it.
As someone that has suffered with both anxiety and depression for many years, I can tell you that there are signs that your loved one is suffering. While not everyone who exhibits these characteristics is having mental health issues, it’s quite possible that those who are, exhibit many of these characteristics as a result of their anxiety and/or depression.
If you ask my family and friends, they will probably tell you that they’ve witnessed me experience each of these symptoms at some point of my life. When my anxiety and depression is at its worst, I may experience all of them at once.
It’s important to mention that I am not a professional or a doctor. I’m just a Mom who speaks publicly about my struggles with anxiety and depression. These warning signs are largely based on my own experience. I’m hoping that they will help others to identify what may be happening to themselves or their loved one.
- Loss of Interest
- Lack of Urgency for Personal Hygiene
- Trouble Sleeping or Fatigue
- Difficulty Concentrating and/or Remembering
- Irritability
- Avoiding Social Gatherings or Crowds
- Worrying Excessively or Irrational Fears
- Guilt
Do any of these symptoms look familiar to you?
I am personally well aware of each symptom, as it’s happening, but my anxiety doesn’t allow me to do anything about it. In most cases, when I realize any of these are happening, I panic and it makes my anxiety even worse.
I often feel like a different person than I was before my anxiety and I don’t recognize myself. These feelings push me until I give in and take a personal day. Other times, when I know that I have a deadline or something that has to be done, I push through them, but usually find myself in bed for a full day afterward.
It’s important to remember that anxiety and depression is different for everyone. There is no easy fix. There is not one remedy that works for everyone. We all have to figure out what works for each of us and if it stops working, learn to adapt and make the necessary changes. The most important thing we can do is not ignore the signs.
While meds weren’t the answer for me, they do help a lot of people. For some, it’s a matter of changing their diet and their routine. For others, yoga and meditation are key. I haven’t found my magic combination yet, but I know I will. It’s a constant battle, but a battle that I will never stop fighting.
If you or a loved one needs help with mental health issues, please consult a physician.
Follow along on my journey with anxiety.
Hello There!
Hi! I’m Heather, Mom of 3, professional snack opener, the only person who knows where everything is in my house and part-time magician (I can turn a bunch of candy into a gift basket and everyone thinks it’s amazing). I share a mix of parenting moments, easy recipes, crafts, and DIY home decor projects.
Around here, we love turning ordinary stuff into extraordinary gifts, from candy box baskets and birthday punch boards to homemade advent calendars and other crafty chaos that somehow always works out.
Welcome to The Super Mom Life — where the projects are fun, the coffee is strong, and the laughter is pretty much required for survival. Don't forget to follow us on social media!
Super important post for sure. It can be so hard to tell, but when you look for these subtle signs it becomes much clearer and then you can begin to understand and help x
Thank you for writing this post. We must all be very vigilant in spotting the signs of anxiety and depression. These are not easy to deal with, I know because I have had depression before. It was a good thing I was able to get medical attention before things got worse.
This is such good information to know, Heather! Thanks for sharing. I feel like its sometimes people you aren’t even expecting are the ones that are really struggling.
Sometimes it’s hard to spot people with depression and anxiety because others seems to hide it quite well. If you know a person who you think have this signs then it’s good to be at least be there for that person.
This is such an important topic. Recognizing when someone needs help is critical.
This is a great tip list to help recognize the signs. It’s so important to offer a supportive and comfortable space for your family and loved ones during challenging times.
My friend suffer from anxiety and depression and I think it’s important that we raise awareness on this. People often would judge you, call you lazy, pathetic, overly dramatic, sensitive, without thinking if you’re suffering from a mental illness or not. It’s not seen so they think you’re functioning well when you’re not.