Sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference between an emotion or a physical state and a mental health disorder.
For example, when you are feeling sad—especially if you have been feeling sad for a few days—you might wonder if you are suffering from one of the various kinds of depression. The difference between the two is not always black and white.
In this blog post, we are going to consider two conditions that might—or might not—indicate a mental health issue.
Are You Worried All of the Time?
Here is something we know for sure: The world is full of plenty of things to be worried about. And those things can range from the small and personal (Will my presentation be any good next week?) to the big and cosmic (How likely is it that the Earth will be struck by a killer asteroid? Turns out, not too likely!). There are, of course, many, many worrisome things between those two examples—and thinking about them can be ongoingly unpleasant.
But is the fact that you find yourself worrying a lot an indication of an anxiety disorder? That is a question for you and your doctor or therapist to discuss. That said, one thing to ask yourself is whether your worries are related to things you can control or things you can’t control. Are there times when you feel worried, but the worry does not seem to be attached to anything in particular?
If your worries are related to things within your control, you may well alleviate them by taking action to make things better. Admittedly, that can be easier said than done but taking proactive steps to address issues that have you worried can lessen that feeling. If your worries are about things you cannot control, you may need to develop strategies for lessening the impact of those concerns on your day-to-day life. For example, you may want to set a news or social media budget for yourself.
If your worries do not seem connected to anything specific, you might want to talk with a medical professional sooner rather than later to determine whether you might be suffering from an anxiety disorder. That is also true if your sense of worry—even about things it makes sense to be worried about—threatens to overwhelm you.
Are You Tired All of the Time?
Here is another thing we know for sure: So many of us are so tired all of the time. We race from responsibility to responsibility. We stay up late working—or trying to wind down from working. We fill our days off with appointments and projects instead of rest and relaxation. All of this eventually catches up to us all, and so we feel tired.
But could the fact that you are tired all of the time be an indication that you are depressed? After all, a desire to sleep, difficulty getting out of bed, and the like are symptoms associated with depression. This, too, is a question for you and your doctor or therapist to discuss. But you might also give some thought to your sleeping habits.
Have you set a regular bedtime and waking time? Do you power down your screen a couple of hours before bed? Is your sleeping space cool, dark, quiet, and uncluttered? Do you have any quiet activities—journaling, stretching, reading, listening to relaxing music—that can consistently serve as part of your evening wind down routine?
If you make positive changes to your sleep habits, you may find that you experience less tiredness during the day. If not, it is a good idea to talk with a medical professional about your ongoing sleepiness. You might be suffering from sleep apnea. You might, indeed, be dealing with depression. Sorting it all out so that you get the rest and mental health support you need is a good way to strengthen your overall well-being.
We Are Here to Help with Mental Health Disorders
As we have noted, if you suspect you may be dealing with a mental health disorder, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor, therapist, or both as soon as possible. It may turn out that your best course of action is to seek out treatment from an organization like Peak View Behavioral Health.
Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Peak View Behavioral Health offers personalized treatment for a variety of mental health concerns via inpatient, outpatient, and virtual programs. We are dedicated to evidence-based practices, and we rely on our expertise, experience, and empathy to ensure you receive top-notch care.
If you are ready to improve your quality of life by improving your mental health, we are ready to help.
