5 Signs Your Sad- Or Not

Talking with my clients, regardless of their profession, I recognize there are times people are able to identify their symptoms but are unable to properly self-diagnose. Let’s face it, diagnosis of mental health problems can be difficult.…that’s why a trained professional such as psychologist can help. There are many symptoms of depression and anxiety and ADHD that overlap. Here are 5 “atypical” signs that you could be depressed or anxious or even ADHD..

1- Attention/Concentration Difficulties. Are you more forgetful? Misplace things? Have difficulties focusing? Do you have difficulties finishing tasks. Attention and concentration problems can be a symptom of depression, anxiety or ADHD. While we all tend to daydream (which is healthy in micro doses) or misplace keys on occasion, when you do it frequently throughout the day for several days or weeks at a time, it is a sign – and if it’s not depression, anxiety or ADHD, I’d guess drug use next….because no one enjoys chronic forgetfulness or an inability to pay attention or concentrate. Sure people may get used to it, but there’s medicine for ADHD for a reason.
2- Irritability. Irritability for many can be a sign that they are depressed, but again, it can also be a sign of ADHD. Irritability presents differently in everyone. Some people have a short tone of voice, others are more impatient. Some people become restless and can’t sit still, while others are short tempered.
3- Lack of interest. Whether you are sad, anxious, sleep deprived, or just simply busy, sometimes you just don’t get as much joy from activities, situations, and people that typically bring you happiness. While this occasionally to everyone, when you notice that you are not interested in interacting with others or attending activities as you once did, it is important to take a step back and ask yourself why. Maybe you’re sad, or maybe you’re anxious, or maybe you’re neither of those but something else is bothering you. Often when we are troubled by something-we have a tendency to lose enjoyment from things And
4- Withdrawal from others. Social isolation can also be a sign of depression. Withdrawing from others when upset, irritable, or anxious is common. Because lethargy can also be a symptom of depression, it is important to distinguish whether you are lethargic or low energy, and that’s why you are withdrawing from interacting, or there is some other reason.
5- Mood lability. Sometimes people who are sad don’t actually feel sad. They can feel anxious or irritable and/or angry all the time. Maybe you are “moody” or notice that your “mood is all over the place”. After a few days of your mood doing jumping jacks, you may need to consider it as a sign of a larger problem (e.g. depression, anxiety, etc.) Maybe you are just having more intense reactions than you usually do, or maybe you are more sensitive to criticism and feedback. Mood reactivity is something to pay attention to…
There are more than 5 signs of depression. According to the DSM 5, you have a diagnosis of depression when you have 5 of the 9 symptoms they list and one must be sadness or anhedonia (or both). Additionally, you have to have these symptoms more days than not for at least 2 weeks. The symptoms listed above are not all inclusive – but they are signs that could be depression, or could be anxiety, or could be ADHD.

Additional signs of depression include:
1- Sadness
2- Appetite and/or sleep disturbance
3- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
4- Psychomotor agitation or retardation
5- Recurrent thoughts of death

It’s analyzing the above signs in the context of your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors that lead to a mental health diagnosis. And remember, we all get sad, we all get anxious, and flighty sometimes, What’s important is that we recognize that we are exhibiting these signs and do something about them.

Until next time,
Amy