Stressed or depressed? Which one are you? Know the difference and get the help you need.
Difficulties and challenges are perhaps part and parcel of life. After all, you don’t get the good without the bad, as most people would say. However, there are times that things can get pretty out of hand and you may sometimes feel overwhelmed. You may feel stressed and pressured by the demands of life, or you may feel depressed and desperate. However, it’s best to know which one do you feel and to immediately get the remedy and help you need.
Stress, for one, can be good if you don’t let yourself get carried away by it. It can be a good motivator, driving you to achieve greater things. It can become bad when it causes you to be angry, aggressive, restless, unable to eat, and unable to have a well-balanced life. Constant stress can also affect your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Meanwhile, depression is more serious and long-lasting. It is a clinical condition that requires professional help. Depression can last at least two weeks, and can cause you to have powerful mood swings. It can also affect your ability to function.
Signs of Stress
- Inability to read
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Feeling helpless
- Memory problems
- Concentration problems
- Feeling anxious all the time
- Irritability
- Easily angry
- Burned out
These symptoms are short-lived and may go away once you’re able to find a solution to your problem or have found time to unwind.
Meanwhile, depression is different.
Signs of Depression
- Feeling sad
- Feeling helpless
- Feeling hopeless and in despair
- Agitation
- Restlessness
- Eating problems
- Sleeping problems
- Trouble concentrating
- Poor memory
- Inability to make decisions
- Irrational guilt or remorse
- Anger
- Trouble functioning
- Being withdrawn
- Thoughts of suicide
What to do when stressed
There are many ways to overcome stress. There are healthy, positive ways of coping, and unfortunately, there are negative and destructive ones. You can do meditation or get a hobby. You can go out with your friends or talk things out with a trusted friend. Taking drugs or drinking alcohol, while they look relieving, won’t do you any good. You may even end up creating a destructive pattern that can lead to addiction.
Get help for depression
Talk to a loved one about what you’re feeling. You may also consider getting professional help for better assessment.
Remember, there’s nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to your mental health. Depression is not a character flaw or a weakness. Seeking help is a sign of strength.
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