The Quiz Said Im Crazy Should I Be Worried
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, at least 13,120,000 people in the US suffer from severe mental disorders which interfere with their lives. So, the chances are getting a positive result on the insanity test is not that thin. But you should not worry about that. Here is what to do if the test results indicated you might have a condition.
Depression Is A Real Illness
You are not weak or crazy. Depression is a real illness that researchers believe is caused mainly by imbalances in certain chemicals within your brain called neurotransmitters. Some experts are even starting to frame depression as a systemic disease.
The following neurotransmitters play an important role in regulating your mood as well as being involved in many other functions throughout your body:
- Dopamine: Helps regulate emotion, memory, thinking, motivation, and reward
- Norepinephrine: What makes your heart rate and blood pressure sore during a “fight or flight” response or stressful time
- Serotonin: The “feel-good” chemical that helps regulate your mood and plays a role in your overall sense of well-being
Researchers are continuing to learn more about what causes these imbalances as well as other neurotransmitters like acetylcholine, GABA, and glutamate, which may also play a role in depression.
Am I Bipolar Or Just Moody
A lot of the time when people say someone is bipolar, they really mean moody. Moody people can be happy one minute and sad the next. Sometimes they just change their mind a lot. Its normal to experience ups and downs, especially if something has happened to make you feel happy or sad. Some people are more moody than others, or just more open about their feelingsand thats okay. But if your mood swings start to get in the way of your daily life, you might wonder if you actually have bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that affects about 3% of adults in the United States. Its not the same as being moody. People with bipolar disorder have alternating episodes of mania and depression. Mania is a period of extreme high energy or mood. People often feel very excited during a manic episode and make impulsive decisions. Depression is pretty much the oppositelow energy, with feelings of sadness or despair. Stress can trigger one of these episodes, but often the shift happens without any clear explanation.
Manic and depressive episodes typically last several weeks. If your moods are changing drastically from day to day, thats usually not a sign of bipolar disorder.
If you think you might have bipolar disorder, start by taking our free bipolar test. If the result is negative and you still feel like moodiness is a problem for you, try taking some of our other tests, like the ones for depression and anxiety.
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What Happens When You Have A Mental Health Crisis
If you’re having a mental health crisis, you may feel like youre losing control. Some event or change in your life is causing you an intense amount of stress, which is causing symptoms such as fear, anxiety, worry, nervousness and depression. You may feel stuck, overwhelmed or incapacitated, which makes you unable to cope and function with life.
How To Get Help If You Feel Like Youre Going Insane
Whether you think youre experiencing is a short term blip or something more serious, you deserve support. Here are some ideas to hopefully help.
- Read our Understanding Depression article and do the NHS Mood Self-Assessment quiz.
- Talking to a mental health professional can be calming your doctor is the best place to start.
- Get in touch with SANE for completely confidential emotional support.
- Ease off on the partying. By this we mean the alcohol and drugs legal or illegal. Comedowns can feel like nervous breakdowns, and thats the last thing you need.
- Try and get enough sleep. Were not really designed to go more than a night without sleep.
- Get some exercise. Getting your heart rate up releases endorphins that will help you stop worrying for a bit.
- Make sure youre eating healthily and drinking plenty of water. Going without food or water for too long can make your mood plunge.
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Can You Prevent Depression From Happening
While theres no surefire way to prevent depression, one of the greatest protective factors for depression is social connection and social support, says Jessica Stern, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Langone Health. Maintaining healthy friendships and relationships, she says, can potentially significantly decrease the likelihood or severity of depression. Whats more, the chance that an individual will receive care for symptoms of depression is often based on their social situation, Dr. Murrough says. Friends or family notice that someones not themselves, having trouble getting out of bed, and missing activities and appointments, and will help them seek care. Someone whos relatively isolated may be at risk for not getting treatment, and in turn, fall into deeper depression. The key? Nurture your relationships and encourage each other to talk openly about your feelings, without judgment. The more we can de-stigmatize emotions, the more we can help prevent or slow down the progression of negative emotions to depressive symptoms, says Dr. Stern.
What Can I Do To Prevent Or Reduce My Risk Of Having A Mental Health Crisis Or Breakdown
Many of the best self-help tips involve lifestyle changes. Although these suggestions may not entirely prevent episodes of uncontrollable stress, anxiety or depression, they may reduce the intensity and frequency of these episodes.
- Learn strategies to relax. Try breathing exercises, mediation, yoga, mindfulness, progressive muscle relaxation and other methods to relax. Visualize and focus your attention on something that makes you calm.
- Take care of yourself. Eat a well-balanced diet, follow good sleep habits and exercise for 30 minutes at least five days a week . Avoid recreational drugs, alcohol and an excessive amount of caffeine . These products can stress your body.
- Get organized and take breaks. Take back some control over your life. Make a to-do list. Set priorities. Take many mini-breaks . Review achievements at the end of your day. Dont beat yourself up if you didnt accomplish everything on your list. Update your to-do list. Know that each day offers a new start and a new opportunity.
- Get counseling. Make an appointment with a mental health professional to learn more ways to manage stress, anxiety and depression. Ask your counselor for information about support groups.
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What Treatment Should I Be Offered
The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence writes guidance on what treatment doctors should offer you. But your doctor does not have to give you these treatments. And the treatments may not be available in your area.
Different treatments may be available in your area. Your doctor might think these suit your symptoms more than the recommended treatments.
NICE recommend that depression is treated in different steps depending on how severe the condition is for you. The steps are as follows.
Step 1: Everyone who may have depression
Your doctor should offer you:
- an assessment of your symptoms,
- support, such as regular appointments in person or by telephone,
- information on how to deal with your symptoms,
- monitoring of your symptoms and follow-up, and
- referral for further assessment and treatment if needed.
Step 2: Mild to moderate depression
Your doctor may offer you:
- low-intensity interventions, such as self-help guided by the doctor or computerised cognitive behavioural therapy ,
- physical activity programmes,
- group cognitive behavioural therapy ,
- medication if you have a history of moderate or severe depression, or you have had symptoms for a long time, and
- referral for further assessment and treatment if needed.
Step 3: Moderate to severe depression, or mild to moderate depression when other treatments havent worked
Your doctor may suggest:
Step 4: Severe and complex depression or if your life is at risk Your doctor may suggest:
- medication,
Anxiety Is An Appropriate Response To Stressful Situational Triggers
From navigating a public health crisis to feeling high political tensions, its no wonder that many people are feeling a little uneasy in 2020. And truthfully, stress is a perfectly normal and appropriate way to respond to situational triggers such as COVID-19, a job loss, or uncertainty around the election.
In fact, many people who have never had depression before 2020 have been diagnosed this year. And Id estimate that about one-third of my patients who already have a depression diagnosis have experienced worsening symptoms during this challenging year.
One-third of American adults who have #Depression experienced worsening symptoms during 2020. On the #LiveWellHealthy blog, Dr. Adams shares 6 signs that its time to prioritize your #MentalHealth: https://bit.ly/2JGCjx3.
For some, healthy habits can reestablish their mental health, helping them to maintain their equilibrium. For others, a situational trigger can cause a downward spiral that leads to anxiety or depression. When that happens, it may be time to reevaluate how you take care of yourself.
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Being Mentally Ill Is A Hell Of A Lot Of Hard Work
The idea that laying in bed all day when youre depressed isnt the greatest of trials is really misconception. Sometimes staying alive is a momentous task. People who know this know this, and we cant let people who have no experience in the matter tell us otherwise. So while it may look on the surface like you have nothing to be proud of, you know and I know, you do! And in the time that you spend doing nothing, it is likely that you are building up skills such as perseverance, empathy, a sense of humor, and hope. These skills will also help you in the future, when you feel better.
Most People With Depression Need Treatment To Feel Better
If you think you may have depression, start by making an appointment to see your health care provider. This could be your primary doctor or a health provider who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions . Certain medications, and some medical conditions, such as viruses or a thyroid disorder, can cause the same symptoms as depression. A health care provider can rule out these possibilities by doing a physical exam, interview, and lab tests. Your health care provider will examine you and talk to you about treatment options and next steps.
Talking to Your Health Care Provider About Your Mental Health
Communicating well with your health care provider can improve your care and help you both make good choices about your health. Read about tips to help prepare and get the most out of your visit. For additional resources, including questions to ask your health care provider, visit the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
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You No Longer Care About Your Looks
And why should you!?
Its not like youre going somewhere or meeting someone.
Eventually, you get to a point where youre too ashamed of yourself even to try to make some changes and start taking care of yourself.
But the saddest part is that people are often too quick to judge you and fail to understand that your lack of interest is not a sign of laziness but a consequence of depression.
You Take Forever To Decide
Once again, your lack of motivation and the fact that you no longer find joy in anything keeps you in a state of idleness where even the most minor decisions feel like too much.
Or it could be because youve lost confidence and no longer feel capable of taking responsibility for the choices you make.
The moment you stop making decisions is when your life freezes into a state where absolutely nothing happens, neither good nor bad.
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Can Depression Go Away On Its Own Without Treatment
Surprisingly, some experts say that it can. For some people, depression is cyclical or seasonal, and they can eventually recover and remit without any specific intervention, says James Murrough, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Depression and Anxiety Center for Discovery and Treatment at Mount Sinai. “But we also know that treatments like psychotherapy and medications can severely reduce the symptoms and duration of an episode of depression. Many individuals who suffer from depression never seek treatment, and thats why from a public health perspective we want to keep reducing the stigma around it.
Your Friends And Family Are Worried About You
In todays world, experts often talk about high functioning depression.
Its the kind of depression thats hard to spot because of all the distractions that you surround yourselves with to make it seem like youre ok.
When your friends, colleagues, or family members are beginning to feel worried about you, perhaps its time to be honest with yourself and consider the possibility that you may be dealing with something serious.
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Common Causes And Risk Factors
Depression can be caused by a number of factors. Though a single cause cannot always be found, experts recognize the following as possible causes:
- Genetics: Depression and other mood disorders can run in families, though family history alone does not mean a person will get depression.
- Life events: Major life changes and stressful events may trigger depression. These events include divorce, the death of a loved one, job loss, or financial problems.
- Hormonal changes: Depression and low mood are often
- cultural expectations
- differences in experience
One study of twin brothers and sisters published in The American Journal of Psychiatry found that personality and relationships with others were more likely to play a role in the onset of depression.
In particular, the study stated that marital problems, the relationship with parents, and lack of social support were more likely to cause depression in women than in men.
Neuroticism, or being in a negative emotional state, was also a primary cause of depression in the women studied.
A study in the Journal of Affective Disorders also found that womens symptoms of depression were different. The women studied were more likely to have panic and anxiety disorders in addition to their depression.
Other studies have indicated that women may be more likely to gain weight and have excessive sleepiness than men.
Womens hormone changes may also play a role in how and when depression affects them.
Research on this hormonal link has found:
Feeling Guilty Or Worthless
Thoughts like Im a failure, Its my fault or Im worthless are all possible signs of a mental health disorder, such as depression. Your friend or loved one may need help if theyre frequently criticising or blaming themselves. When severe, a person may express a feeling to hurt or kill themselves. This feeling could mean the person is suicidal and urgent help is needed. Call Triple zero for an ambulance immediately.
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Where Do I Go From Here
In addition to talking to your family doctor, check out the resources below for more information on mood disorders:
Mood Disorders Association of BCVisit www.mdabc.net or call 604-873-0103 or 1-855-282-7979 for resources and information on mood disorders. Youll also find more information on support groups around the province.
BC Partners for Mental Health and Substance Use InformationVisit www.heretohelp.bc.ca for info sheets and personal stories about . Youll also find more information, tips and self-tests to help you understand many different mental health problems.
Canadian Mental Health Associations BC DivisionVisit www.cmha.bc.ca or call 1-800-555-8222 or 604-688-3234 for information and community resources on mental health or any mental illness.
1-800-SUICIDEIf you are in distress or are worried about someone in distress who may hurt themselves, call 1-800-SUICIDE 24 hours a day to connect to a BC crisis line, without a wait or busy signal. Thats 1-800-784-2433.
Resources available in many languages:*For the service below, if English is not your first language, say the name of your preferred language in English to be connected to an interpreter. More than 100 languages are available.
About the author
The Canadian Mental Health Association promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing a mental illness through public education, community-based research, advocacy, and direct services. Visit www.cmha.bc.ca.
Signs And Symptoms: How To Identify Depression
If sadness alone isnt a good gauge of depression, what is? According to the American Psychiatric Associations current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , which is the diagnostic guide used by most mental health professionals, if youve experienced at least five of the following symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, you may be , also known as clinical depression.
Do you:
- Constantly feel tearful, empty, or worthless?
- Have little interest or pleasure in your work, hobbies, friends, family, and other things you once enjoyed?
- Notice dramatic changes up or down in your appetite or your weight not related to dieting?
- Often feel listless or fatigued for no obvious reason?
- Have trouble concentrating or making decisions?
- Find yourself wringing your hands, pacing, or showing other signs of anxious restlessness or the opposite, moving or speaking more slowly than usual?
- Struggle with or sleep too much?
- Have recurrent thoughts of suicide or death?
To be diagnosed with MDD, one of your symptoms must be a persistent low mood or a loss of interest or pleasure, the DSM-5 states. Your symptoms must also not be due to substance abuse or a medical condition, such as thyroid problems, a brain tumor, or a nutritional deficiency.
Of course, its normal to have any or all of these symptoms temporarily from time to time. The difference with depression is that the symptoms persist and make it difficult to function normally.
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