Depression Sign #: Forgetfulness And Trouble Concentrating
Problems with memory and focus often go hand in frustrated hand. Forgetting appointments, being chronically late, and having trouble focusing on normally simple things like making a grocery list or composing an email are signals. Having to read paragraphs over and over, zoning out during a conversation, or staring at the TV but not following the plot are also telltale signs.
Depression Sign #: Drinking Or Drugs
Drowning your sorrows is a dubious, though worldwide, remedy for a breakup, setback, or other disappointment. But alcohol and drugs, for both men and women, can be the chicken or the egg of depression: depressed individuals are more likely to abuse substances, and excessive alcohol or drug use may feed a developing depression. Alcohol, ironically, is a depressant, so while it offers a short-term boost, alcohol and depression only compound one another. Watch for an uptick in drinking or drug use as a flag for possible depression.
Travel And Mental Health Checklist
Before you leave
- Consult your healthcare practitioner to discuss if the type of travel you are planning is right for you. Get advice on how to stay healthy and cope with the effects of travel stress and jet lag. Ask if you can stay in touch with your health professional during your trip.
- Find a reputable mental health professional at your destination who speaks your language. You may want to contact them prior to your trip to ensure continuity of care.
- Familiarize yourself with the psychiatric healthcare system of your destination country. Know what steps you need to take in case of an emergency.
- Book the most direct route possible to your destination avoid layovers and long hours in transit.
- Travel with a trusted friend, family member, or professional travel companion. If you are travelling alone, set up regular check-in times to reach a family member or friend.
- Register with your embassy or consulate in case you need their assistance during an emergency abroad.
- Make sure to pack enough medication for the duration of your trip. Check whether your medication is regulated or restricted at your destination.
During your trip
When you return
- Book an extra day or two off after you return to mentally and physically recover from your trip. This will help you adjust from jet lag and help you get back into your daily routine.
- Follow up with your healthcare practitioner if you needed emergency care abroad or to address any concerns you may have related to post-travel readjustment.
Also Check: What To Do When You Think You Are Depressed
What Are The Mental Health Benefits Of Exercise
Exercise is not just about aerobic capacity and muscle size. Sure, exercise can improve your physical health and your physique, trim your waistline, improve your sex life, and even add years to your life. But thats not what motivates most people to stay active.
People who exercise regularly tend to do so because it gives them an enormous sense of well-being. They feel more energetic throughout the day, sleep better at night, have sharper memories, and feel more relaxed and positive about themselves and their lives. And its also a powerful medicine for many common mental health challenges.
Regular exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety, and ADHD. It also relieves stress, improves memory, helps you sleep better, and boosts your overall mood. And you dont have to be a fitness fanatic to reap the benefits. Research indicates that modest amounts of exercise can make a real difference. No matter your age or fitness level, you can learn to use exercise as a powerful tool to deal with mental health problems, improve your energy and outlook, and get more out of life.
Overwhelm Stress And Trauma
In addition to information overload, general life overload can also leave you feeling off your game.
You might feel like youre just going through the motions of daily life, but not really thinking about what youre doing. Eventually, you emerge from this fog with little recollection of how much time has actually passed or how you got through it.
This is often a coping tactic that helps you keep stress and overwhelm at a distance until you feel equipped to deal with them. If youve gone through any kind of trauma, this tendency to zone out might border on more severe dissociation.
In the face of extreme stress, some people respond by shutting down, or completely detaching. Shutdown dissociation can in the central nervous system, which can lead to a more total absence of presence.
In other words, you may
For the most part, zoning out isnt bad at all. Its a normal part of brain function, and its also often helpful.
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When Might I Dissociate
- For many people, dissociation is a natural response to trauma that they can’t control. It could be a response to a one-off traumatic event or ongoing trauma and abuse. You can read more on our page about the causes of dissociative disorders.
- Some people choose to dissociate as a way of calming down or focusing on a task, or as part of a religious or cultural ritual.
- Or you may experience dissociation as a side effect of alcohol or some medication, or when coming off some medication.
Youre Distracted For No Discernible Reason
All of the previous examples have been explaining why you might zone out. Although these cover most situations, sometimes you can just zone out for no reason at all. You might be like one of our readers who shared this:
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I dont know what happens. I just find myself staring at a point on the wall or a pretty tree.
This is more common in people who find themselves daydreaming when theyre alone.
Try mindfulness training
Mindfulness training can help you to stay focused on the here and now. There are different ways to go about mindfulness, but meditation, breathing exercises, and apps such as Calm or Headspace can help to guide you through the process.
Also Check: Best Way To Get Out Of Depression
What Does Mdd Look Like In Older Adults
Spotting MDD in people age 65 and older isnt as easy as it seems. Many older adults have medical conditions like heart disease, stroke, cancer, and arthritis, which are strongly linked to depressive symptoms and can lead to social isolation.
Their activity level may already be low for physical reasons. They may not be comfortable talking about mental health . Some older adults with no prior history of depression may develop vascular depression, caused by restricted blood flow to the brain.
Along with the usual signs, a depressed older adult is likely to:
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Experience confusion and memory problems
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Avoid social activity
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Demand assistance or frequently seek help
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Lose their appetite or lose weight
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Have delusions or hallucinations
MDD is a beast of an illness. And, not surprisingly, it can be really difficult to ask for help when you are experiencing the symptoms weve discussed. If you or someone you know is showing signs of MDD, know that treatment can and will help.
No Matter The Type Of Anxiety Youre Dealing With Were Here To Help
A little bit of stress is healthy and normal. In fact, researchers have shown that a touch of anxiety or worry can help boost productivity, such as before a big test, exciting event, important game, or presentation at school/work. The stress helps you really nail it.
Many people who feel worried or stressed from time-to-time may also find that this can be a healthy way of checking in with oneself. Acknowledging stress can be one of the first steps towards reducing stress, by identifying when you have too many things going on and may need to take a breather or re-examine life priorities.
For some people, anxiety has taken on a life of its own. Worry may be near-constant, and at times you may be able to tell that your thoughts become irrational or you act out in ways that later seem immature or embarrassing. You may find yourself limiting certain activities and your life may feel constrained.
Mental stress can also lead to physical stress, such as grinding teeth at night or tense shoulders and back muscles. Working with a counselor with experience in anxiety therapy can help you reduce your stress, with proven tools to get anxiety under control.
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How Do You Fix Brain Fog
Treatment ways to end brain fog
Current Events And The Zone
For many adults, multiple ongoing crises in the news have led to mental health issues of their own. Teens could be getting lost in the mix. Parents are so worried about feeding their families and helping their kids with school, they may miss the signs of falling into the zone because of the stress around all of the other issues happening at once.
Taking care of your emotional health during an emergency will help you maintain clear, rational thinking and be proactive when urgent needs to protect yourself and your family arise. Self-care during this trying time will aid in long-term healing, both emotionally and physically. The CDC recommends that all families make time for the following:
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association , also offers advice on how best to recognize mental stress and signs of depression during the health crisis in particular
Once your teen has slipped into the zone, it is critical that they receive care and encouragement. Of course, the best course of all is to keep your teen out of the depression danger zone altogether.
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What Does Dissociation Feel Like
Everyday examples of dissociation can range from zoning out, to daydreaming, to your mind going completely blank, to having an out of body experience.
You can feel disconnected from your surroundings, get a sense that the world around you doesnt feel real, or even feel like youre observing yourself from the outside looking in. From other peoples perspectives, you might have glazed eyes, or look like youre staring off into space.
One article describes dissociation like a computer that reaches overload for input and then has to shut down for a bit to reboot itself. While the computer, your brain, is rebooting, you can feel like youre in a fog.
This is what happens when weve been walking for a bit when we suddenly realize we have not noticed a thing weve walked past, or when we mindlessly eat our way through all of the food in front of us.
One person described a more intense dissociative experience in a swimming pool, where they could no longer feel the water around them.
They saw that people were talking around them, but they couldnt understand what anyone was saying they were focused on how they didnt feel wet.
When To Get Help
Generally speaking, you dont need to worry about zoning out occasionally, especially if it happens mostly when youre engrossed in a task and it doesnt seem to have any negative effects on your daily life.
But frequent daydreaming, mind wandering, or brain fog can sometimes be symptoms of other issues, including ADHD and depression.
Its important to talk to a healthcare professional if your zoning out is accompanied by other systems, including:
- difficulty concentrating or managing time
- restlessness or irritability
- thoughts of suicide or self-harm
Since dissociation can be serious, its always wise to talk to a therapist if you zone out regularly or believe youre experiencing dissociative episodes.
Some signs of dissociation include:
- zoning out during stressful situations
- complete detachment from whats happening
- not realizing when you zone out
- past traumatic events, especially ones you havent yet addressed
Therapists offer judgment-free guidance and support as they help you explore possible causes of zoning out and develop helpful coping techniques.
Children experiencing a mild type of seizure known as absence seizures may also appear to zone out. If your child appears to be daydreaming but doesnt respond when you try to get their attention, its a good idea to see their pediatrician.
Read Also: What Should I Do For Depression
When Is It A Personality Disorder
And, if your dissociation goes unrecognised and unresolved and you then experience more life trauma? There is a higher risk of developing a more serious dissociative disorder, such as multiple personality disorder or depersonalisation-derealisation disorder .
These can include symptoms like not recognising yourself in the mirror, feeling like your body isnt part of you, or feeling like you are more than one person.
What Is Samhsa’s National Helpline
SAMHSAs National Helpline, , or TTY: is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information.
Also visit the online treatment locator.
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Why Do I Feel Like Im Dumber
Brain fog can be a symptom of a nutrient deficiency, sleep disorder, bacterial overgrowth from overconsumption of sugar, depression, or even a thyroid condition. Other common brain fog causes include eating too much and too often, inactivity, not getting enough sleep, chronic stress, and a poor diet.12 de ago. de 2020
I Don’t Say That I Feel Insignificant As A Matter Of Self
I say it because I don’t feel connected to the world. I feel like I am a consciousness of some sort suspended in the vicinity of this body called Reta Jayne when everyone thinks I am in that body. Yet, I feel like that body is foreign to me on so many levels!
You don’t have to tell me I know. I sound flippin’ cah-raze-ee
Some people dissociate for more than the length of a movie or during times that are no longer life-or-death or traumatizing. Some people get high anxiety & check out for hours or days or weeks at a time. Still others, on the more rare side of dissociation, dissociate while an entirely new personality emerges.
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Overwhelming Depression Makes Daily Tasks Difficult
I have been feeling overwhelming depression for the past couple of weeks. Living with a mental illness can make anyone exhausted, turning simple daily tasks into daunting and dreaded foes. My responsibilities loom before me like an abysmal darkness that I cannot escape. Practicing self-care feels impossible. Even thinking about housework or errands exhausts me. Welcome to the hard days of overwhelming depression.
I’ve been struggling with doing things I know I need to do, such as exercising, showering, getting dressed, and styling my hair. I personally feel better when I wear makeup however, lately, there have been many days in which I simply haven’t had the energy to apply it. The act of getting out of bed has been an accomplishment for me the past few weeks. On some days, that is enough.
With that being said, however, we all must admit that we need to find healthy ways to manage the overwhelming side of depression. Of course, we should seek medical care to help with depression, but there are also some things that we can do to make daily tasks seem less overwhelming for us.
You Struggle To Take In Complex Information
If you zone out when someones telling you something new or giving you detailed instructions, it might be because you struggle to learn something new through conversations or talks. There are several reasons that this might be difficult for you. For example, you might not be an auditory learner, or you might not feel comfortable showing that you dont understand something.
Become comfortable asking questions
Not understanding something can leave you feeling awkward and embarrassed, and you might zone out to avoid that feeling. Rather than allowing yourself to disconnect, practice asking questions. Remind yourself that theres nothing wrong with not knowing something. Knowledge isnt the same thing as intelligence, and asking questions wont make you look stupid. Instead, itll show that youre eager to learn.
It might also help to remember that people who know a lot about a topic often struggle to explain it to others. When Im teaching, I regularly have to tell my students that not understanding something on the first try isnt their fault. It just means that I havent found the best way to teach it to them yet. If the person youre talking to doesnt emphasize that to you, make sure you tell it to yourself!
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Zoning Out Or Dozing Off During The Day: Effects & Prevention
Many people having a corporate life face difficulty in finishing the day without zoning out or dozing off. Still, many people try to work forcefully even if they are not able to, due to heavy workload or tight deadlines and pressure. This raises the possibility that you may need more sleep if you zone out or doze off during the day. Let us understand this in detail.
Zoning out is very common nowadays, most of the people have experienced it once in a while and some experience it every single day. It is caused by various reasons like poor diet, lack of sleep, bad working environment, and so on, but the most common reason is sleep deficiency. Lack of sleep also interferes in the other day to day activities like driving, communicating, remembering things, almost everything.
Caffeine is also the factor, which can invite zoning out or dozing off in the middle of the day. If a person takes caffeine in the middle of the day then it will hamper the sleep and lack of good sleep will cause drowsiness the next day. In the long term, lack of sleep can cause serious chronic problems that will be very difficult to cure and can spoil the sufferers life very badly.
People of every age have zoned out sometimes. School children get their studies affected due to that, corporate workers get their performance hampered due to that, old age people experience it because of anxiety and tension.