Depression or anxiety
Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental health disorders in the United States. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, they affect more than 18 percent of adults each year.
While depression and anxiety share some common symptoms, they are actually two very different conditions. Depression is characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness or emptiness, while anxiety is defined as an excessive and irrational fear or worry.
There are a number of different emotional signs that can indicate someone is suffering from depression or anxiety. Here are seven of the most common:
1. Feeling hopeless or helpless
If you’re depressed, you may feel like there’s no way out and that nothing will ever get better. This can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair. On the other hand, if you’re anxious, you may constantly feel on edge and like something bad is about to happen, even when there’s no evidence to support this belief.
2. Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
Depression can cause a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable,. This includes things like sex, hobbies, work, or spending time with friends and family members.
Anger, irritability, or restlessness
Anger, irritability or restlessness are all emotional signs of stress. Stress can come from many different sources, including work, relationships, finances or health issues. When someone is under a lot of stress, they may feel like they are constantly on edge. They may be quick to anger and may find it difficult to relax. This can lead to problems at home and work, as well as in personal relationships. If you are experiencing any of these emotional signs of stress, it is important to seek help from a professional who can help you manage your stress levels and improve your overall wellbeing.
Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
Sleep disturbances are common among people who are experiencing stress. If you’re having trouble sleeping, you may find yourself tossing and turning at night or waking up frequently. You may also find that you’re sleeping more than usual, which can make you feel even more fatigued.
2. Feeling irritable or short-tempered.:
If you’re feeling stressed, you may also find yourself feeling more irritable than usual. You may have a shorter fuse and be quick to anger over things that wouldn’t normally bother you.
3. Loss of appetite or overeating.:
Changes in appetite are common among people who are under stress. Some people lose their appetite altogether, while others find themselves overeating as a way to cope with their stressors.
4.
Problems with your memory or concentration
Concentration and memory problems are common during periods of stress. During a period of prolonged stress, your brain may feel “foggy,” making it difficult to focus on tasks or remember important information. You may also find yourself more forgetful than usual.
Difficulty sleeping: Stress can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. If you’re constantly worrying about upcoming deadlines or events, your mind may race at night, making it hard to drift off to sleep. You may also find yourself waking up frequently throughout the night due to anxiety or racing thoughts.
Changes in appetite: Stress can have an impact on your appetite and eating habits. Some people find that they lose their appetite when they’re under stress, while others may find themselves overeating or craving certain foods (such as comfort foods).
Feeling irritable or short-tempered: When you’re stressed, you may be more prone to feeling angry, frustrated, or impatient than usual. Even small things that wouldn’t normally bother you can seem like huge annoyances when you’re under pressure.
Feeling overwhelmed: A common sign of stress is feeling like you’re constantly juggling too many balls and struggling to keep up with everything on your plate. If you’re constantly running from one thing to the next without a break in sight, it’s likely that stress is taking its toll on you.
Physical symptoms: Stress can also manifest itself in physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, nausea, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, and sweating. These physical symptoms can be caused by the body’s “fight-or-flight” response kicking in during periods of high stress levels.
Making bad decisions
The ability to make decisions is one of the most important aspects of being a functioning human being. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the things that can be most adversely affected by stress.
When we’re under stress, we often make decisions that are based on emotion rather than logic. We might choose to do something that will give us immediate relief from our stress, even if it’s not in our best long-term interests. Or we might avoid making any decision at all because the thought of choosing seems overwhelming.
Either way, making bad decisions due to stress is a recipe for disaster. Not only will it lead to more stressful situations in the future, but it can also have serious consequences in the present. If you’re looking to improve your decision-making skills and avoid making bad choices when you’re feeling stressed, here are seven emotional signs of stress to watch out for:
1. Feeling Anxious or Nervous
One of the most common emotional signs of stress is feeling anxious or nervous about a particular situation or decision. This can manifest itself as physical symptoms like sweating or a racing heart, as well as mental symptoms like intrusive thoughts or difficulty concentrating.
If you find yourself feeling anxious or nervous about a decision you have to make, it’s important to take a step back and assess the situation logically. Ask yourself what you’re really worried about and whether there’s any evidence to support your fears. Often, we allow our emotions to get the better of us when there’s no real reason to worry.