- [Narrator] Hey, Psych2Go-ers.
Thank you for your support
and welcome back to another brand new video.
Is there someone around you
who has been acting strange lately?
Perhaps they've been more quiet than usual,
or maybe they've been lashing out at everyone
who hangs out with them?
Well, one reason that may be affecting their behavior
could be that they're feeling down,
but don't want to or have trouble
with expressing their sadness.
So if you're worried about your friend or loved one,
here are six signs that they may be secretly feeling down.
Number one, they often put themselves down.
Everyone experiences self-doubt sometimes,
whether it's shying away from social interactions,
refusing to take on an important role,
or feeling a general lack of confidence.
People may put themselves down
as a form of defense mechanism,
so if you see someone being really critical
and harsh on themselves on a regular basis,
you may want to check in on them
and ask how their day, week, or month has been.
Perhaps there's a distinct reason
behind their self-depreciation,
one which they have been waiting to share.
Number two, they're often moody.
Does your friend lash out at you for no reason?
Sometimes people may become irrationally upset
at trivial matters because they feel down.
Although it's easier said than done,
try not to take it personally
and understand the true cause of their emotions.
Conversations that start with
"can you tell me how you're feeling lately?"
or "please let me know if something's wrong"
may help invite those you care about
to open up about their hidden issues.
Even if they start venting at you,
just by speaking out their thoughts,
they're likely to move on
from their negative emotions faster.
Number three, they lose interest easily.
Do you know someone
who's always nonchalant about everything?
Losing and gaining inspiration is a natural part
of human behavior
and some may feel more confident
on certain days more than others.
However, if you notice someone canceling all their plans
or refusing to try anything new
and they tend to just display
an unusual amount of carelessness,
they may have given up the act of seeking joy
and passion in life.
This may be because they're trying to suppress their sadness
or are spending most of their time
trying to combat their own negative thoughts and emotions.
Number four, they stay quiet.
Have you noticed you're usually-talkative
and open friend behaving very quietly lately?
This change in how they act may be a sign
that they're secretly feeling down.
Their behavior to not speak may be because they're trying
to keep their brewing issues within themselves.
After all, staying quiet can be seen
as a natural defense mechanism
for those who are experiencing sadness or even depression.
Again, if there are severe symptoms up the ladder,
please seek a health professional immediately.
Number five, they're constantly anxious.
While sadness doesn't necessarily cause anxiety,
the two emotions do often relate.
Some of the signs of anxiety to look for are restlessness,
fast breathing, heavy sweating, and constant trembling.
There might be something that they truly fear,
which can lead to other negative emotions
and cause them to become really upset.
In these cases, it's good to let them know
that you care about their wellbeing
and will be there to listen.
With your support,
it's more likely that they'll feel comfortable with you
to open up about some of the issues that they may be facing.
And number six, they lack sleep.
Have you ever gone to bed,
only to be bombarded with a stream of intrusive thoughts
that keep you awake?
Unwanted troubling thoughts often occur
after experiencing traumatic events
or even a stressful day.
When your mind learns that you're in a safe place,
those intrusive thoughts tend to resurface.
Therefore people who are secretly feeling sad
may experience a lot of restlessness and inconsistent sleep.
You might want to check in on your coworker or friend
if you hear them talking
about having constant problems getting a good night's rest.
So do you know someone who shows any of these signs
that we've mentioned?
If you know someone
who displays all of the above symptoms and more,
it may be wise to consult a mental health specialist,
such as a therapist or a psychologist,
to check if they're depressed.
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with those who might benefit from it.
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The references and studies used in this video are added
in the description below.
Thanks so much for watching
and we'll see you in the next one.