Mental Health: 5 Signs of Clinical Depression “You determine clinical depression by two measures. One is by time and one is by severity — impact on function. When you have severe symptoms that last at least two weeks and are interfering with fundamental basic functions, it falls into the realm of clinical depression,” explains psychiatrist Jill RachBeisel, MD, associate professor of psychiatry of the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. There are many symptoms of depression, but most common among people with clinical depression are changes in: At its most severe, clinical depression can lead to suicide. Having thoughts like “My family would be better off without me” is a warning sign. Mental Health: 5 Signs of Anxiety “We all should have a little anxiety on board because when you think about it, what makes you really perform well is you get a little anxious,” says RachBeisel. These, however, are signs that you may need help with your anxiety level: Mental Health: 5 Signs of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Obsessive-compulsive disorder is on the extreme end of the anxiety spectrum. “People with OCD are so anxious, they have intrusive thoughts that are irrational, and they can’t get the thoughts out of their head. So what they do is develop behaviors to cope with the anxiety,” says RachBeisel. These behaviors or rituals may be so time-consuming that you can’t get to work (or anywhere) on time, and may even prevent you from working. For example, you may: Mental Health: 5 Signs of Bipolar Disorder “A person with bipolar disorder is someone who has severe mood swings,” says RachBeisel. During the depressed phase, the signs of clinical depression appear, but people with bipolar disorder also experience a manic phase during which they may have a lot of energy and positive feelings about themselves. Signs of mania are: Mental Health: How to Get Help If you suspect that you have signs of one of these mental health conditions, RachBeisel advises that you: By knowing the signs of these common mental health conditions, you’ll be better equipped to recognize when you, or someone you love, may need professional help.
