Anxiety takes on various forms, such as panic attacks, phobias, and social anxiety, making it challenging to distinguish between what’s considered a typical reaction and when it may indicate a mood disorder.
If you recognize any of these symptoms within yourself, seeking guidance from a psychiatrist can be a valuable step in learning to manage and address your anxiety.
Experiencing occasional feelings of sadness or anxiety is a common part of life. What stands out as unusual, however, is when these emotions persistently linger, enveloping you in hopelessness and despair. When such feelings refuse to loosen their grip, it’s likely that depression may be at play. Depression transforms every day into a relentless struggle, robbing you of the joy you once found in life. Even the simplest tasks, like getting out of bed, can become overwhelming.
Welcoming a new baby into the family is typically a time of great happiness and anticipation for couples. However, approximately 60% of new mothers experience postpartum depression (PPD) to varying degrees, which is a well-documented health concern with extensive information available regarding its symptoms and treatment.
What receives less attention is the fact that new fathers can also grapple with depression.
It’s an illness!
Depression is indeed an illness, and much like any other medical condition, individuals have limited control over it. Just as no one tells someone with a broken bone to “get over” their pain, it’s unreasonable to expect depressed individuals to do so. Always remember that your pain is valid, and seeking assistance from a mental health professional is a positive step toward healing.
As per the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, approximately 15 million Americans, which accounts for about 6.8% of the population, contend with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). SAD, also known as social phobia, entails an intense apprehension of social situations. Those affected by it fear potential humiliation and embarrassment in front of others, often fixating on minor mistakes they’ve made or could possibly make while assuming that they are being scrutinized by everyone around them.
