What are some lesser-known symptoms of Anxiety and Depression?
When people think of anxiety and depression, they might often think about symptoms like sadness, worry, difficulty breathing, restlessness, and hopelessness. However, these are only some of the many ways anxiety and depression can manifest themselves in someone.
Weight Fluctuation
Fluctuations in weight can happen to people when feeling depressed (and even anxious). This is because, for some people, the presence of depression or anxiety can lead them to have an INCREASED appetite, which can lead to overeating, being less active, and gaining weight. For others, the presence of depression or anxiety can lead them to have a DECREASED appetite, which can lead to undereating, being more active, and losing weight.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a key symptom of anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems. This is because when mental health problems are present, people may have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much. Additionally, the act of worrying or ruminating on issues can lead to mental exhaustion, which can cause fatigue.
Shutting Down
Oftentimes, people see shutting down as a behavior for self-preservation. While this is true, shutting down can also be a form of experiencing an anxiety or panic attack. Sometimes, when people shut down, they experience racing thoughts and elevated heartbeats, fear, hopelessness, sadness, and many other things we may not be able to see from the outside.
Irritability
Irritability is often associated with having a “bad mood,” but what people may not realize is that irritability is the way that many individuals experience depression and anxiety. This happens because people often feel depleted, exhausted, stressed, or overly stimulated, causing them to react in ways that they may not normally react.
Social Isolation
Social withdrawal is something that we might tend to assume has to do with introversion, shyness, fatigue, or even just rudeness. Though many of these can be true, social withdrawal can be a sign or symptom of depression and anxiety. This is due to many reasons, including;
- Having no energy to spend with loved ones
- Not wanting to burden people with problems
- Not finding joy in connection
- Punishing oneself
Perfectionism
Perfectionism is often talked about in a positive light as if this is a trait one should pursue. However, perfectionism is actually a sign of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Though nothing in life is perfect, people may strive for perfection because they fear the consequences of failure.
Brain Fog
Brain Fog is defined as having little clarity, confusion, forgetfulness, and lack of focus. People with anxiety and depression can experience things like brain fog due to the cognitive difficulties that these mental health problems can lead to, such as issues with their long-term and working memory, as well as their decision-making capabilities.
While our physical offices are located in South Loop and Lakeview neighborhoods in Chicago, Illinois for in-person sessions, we also welcome and serve clients for online therapy from anywhere in Illinois and Washington, D.C. Clients from the Chicagoland area may choose in-office or online therapy and usually commute from surrounding areas such as River North, West Loop, Gold Coast, Old Town, Lincoln Park, Lake View, Rogers Park, Logan Square, Pilsen, Bridgeport, Little Village, Bronzeville, South Shore, Hyde Park, Back of the Yards, Wicker Park, Bucktown and many more.
This page is also part of the Roamers Therapy Glossary; a collection of mental-health related definitions that are written by our therapists.
While our offices are currently located at the South Loop neighborhood of Downtown Chicago, Illinois, we also welcome and serve clients for online therapy from anywhere in Illinois and Washington, D.C. Clients from the Chicagoland area may choose in-office or online therapy and usually commute from surrounding areas such as River North, West Loop, Gold Coast, Old Town, Lincoln Park, Lake View, Rogers Park, Logan Square, Pilsen, Bridgeport, Little Village, Bronzeville, South Shore, Hyde Park, Back of the Yards, Wicker Park, Bucktown and many more. You can visit our contact page to access detailed information on our office location.