Are You Sad, Overwhelmed, or Depressed? Mental Health Check-In

One of the women’s health goals we set for this year was to have a mental health check-in.

This weekend, I finally ticked that goal off my Women’s Health Vision Board.To my surprise, it revealed so much.The question I asked myself was simple:“Are you sad, overwhelmed, or depressed?”

Just a week ago, I was joking with a sister friend. Every time we checked in, she’d tell me how much she had cried that week. Laughing, I said, “At this rate, I need to start you on antidepressants and refer you to a therapist.”

Little did I know that I needed to ask myself the very same question.

My Saturday looked nothing like me.Numb.Blocked.Disconnected.

Instead of going for my usual morning run, I stayed in bed. I skipped breakfast. I drove to Makro but sat in the parking lot scrolling on my phone, unable to get myself moving. I eventually dragged myself through the shop, came home, had a snack, and then took a two-hour nap.

If you know me, you know I never take midday naps unless I’ve just come off a night shift.Something wasn’t right.

Today’s blog is less about me speaking as a doctor and more about me showing up as a woman. I’m grateful I’ve intentionally followed our Women’s Health Vision Board because, without this check-in, I may never have confronted what was happening beneath the surface.

My honest reflection revealed something difficult to admit:

I’m not functioning like myself.

When you’re in a demanding training programme or a high-pressure career, you often feel you can’t afford to fall apart. So you bottle everything up, tell yourself you’ll deal with it later, and keep going.But eventually, “later” arrives.

Feeling overwhelmed happens when life’s demands exceed your emotional capacity. You may feel constantly stressed, anxious, exhausted, irritable, or unable to concentrate. Left unaddressed, chronic overwhelm can affect both your mental and physical health.

Depression, however, is more than feeling sad. It is a medical condition that can affect how you think, feel, and function. Symptoms may include persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed, changes in sleep or appetite, ongoing fatigue, difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness, or thoughts that life is no longer worth living.

And sometimes your mind and body decide it’s time to stop.After completing my mental health check-in, I reached a conclusion I never imagined I’d write publicly:I need therapy.I’ll be booking my first therapy session.As doctors, we’re trained to recognise when others need help. Ironically, I almost missed the signs in myself.

So, how do you know if you’re simply sad, overwhelmed, or experiencing depression?

Sadness is a normal human emotion. It often follows disappointment, conflict, or loss. Although painful, it usually improves with time, support, and healthy coping.

When should you consider therapy?

You don’t have to wait until you’re at breaking point.

You may benefit from therapy if:

You struggle to regulate your emotions.

Your performance at work or school has noticeably declined.

Your sleep or appetite has changed.

Your relationships are suffering.

You’re carrying unresolved trauma or grief.

You’ve lost interest in things you once loved.

Stress is affecting your physical health.

You feel overwhelmed trying to navigate life on your own.

Therapy isn’t only for people in crisis. It’s a place to heal, grow, gain perspective, and learn healthier ways to cope.

Final Thoughts

If this blog resonates with you, let it be your reminder to pause and check in with yourself.

Ask yourself the same question I did:

Am I sad? Am I overwhelmed? Or could I be experiencing depression?

EPIFEM Take-Home Message: It’s okay to not be okay. But you don’t have to stay there. Healing often begins with one honest conversation.

Love

EPIFEM Queen – Nshali