Mental health is the phrase used to refer to the state of how you feel and how you regulate your behavior and your thoughts. That’s normal for you may not be normal for anybody else, so making sure that you know what normal feels like for you and recognizing the differences between when you go from normal to not so normal is important.

Most people who have never had depression before 2020 have been diagnosed this year. Post COVID, post pandemic, post loneliness for a few months. It’s easy to see why. There’s not really a standard for measuring what mental health should look like, but you know yourself best. So if you start to feel something that you’re not recognizing and you’re not used to, then you need to be aware of it. Let’s take a look at the signs that you need some mental health help.

1. You’re dealing with disrupted sleep. A good sign that you need to get some help with your mental health is that your sleep quality is low.Poor sleep is a big red flag that you’re experiencing depression or anxiety. And before you go ahead and start looking for therapists and doctors, make sure that your Cigna behavioral health policy is up to date so that you can ensure that you are getting the best support from your insurance provider as well as from a therapist.
2. You are more emotional than usual. Women especially go through cyclical hormonal changes every month. However, you know what’s normal for you in terms of hormonal shifts and what’s not normal for you. Experiencing irritation or feeling snappy can happen when you are under extreme stress. However, if you can’t seem to get yourself out of that mood swing funk, then you may need to ask for some help.
3. You just don’t feel joyful anymore. A loss of joy is a big red flag for depression. Did you know that it’s normal to have good days and it’s normal to have bad days? But if every day is becoming the same where you’re not feeling the joy? Then you need some help. It’s OK to speak to a therapist and to get some support for your mental health.
4. Your appetite is changing. You are going to be the only person who is aware of how much or how little you eat. There are a variety of ways that depression and anxiety can affect your eating habits. For some, anxiety can result in a loss of appetite, and for others, turning to food seems to be the option of choice. If you notice that you’re overall under-eating then you need to think first about whether or not this is normal for you and then determine what else may be happening in your life.
5. You are feeling it physically. Anxiety and depression can make you feel low in mood, but it can also sap your energy. Physical symptoms can include rapid heart rate, dizziness, sweating, and gastrointestinal symptoms. If those physical symptoms are coming on suddenly and there is no other medical cause.Then you may need to lean into some mental health help. 

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