How to Know If You Are Struggling with Mental Health Issues
5 Signs You Need to Pay Attention to and Address Quickly
A sad reality currently is many people are struggling with mental health issues and they don’t even know it.
Mental health issues are common today, considering what the world has experienced recently. Many people struggle with depression or anxiety, and in extreme cases, have suicidal thoughts.
There are signs to look out for and if you can identify them early, you can get the help you need before it becomes a serious problem.
1-Minute Summary Video
What is Mental Health?
Mental health is how people feel, think, function, and relate to others. It involves addressing conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorders, personality disorders, substance abuse, and suicide.
According to the World Health Organization, mental illness affects one out of every four people worldwide. It is a major cause of illness and disability amount young adults aged between 15 and 29.
While some mental health-related issues are treatable, there are many cases that go undiagnosed and untreated.
Why is Mental Health Important?
Mental health is important because:
- It helps you cope with life’s challenges.
- It improves your ability to work and function daily.
- It reduces stress and increases happiness.
- It helps you make decisions and deal with problems well.
- It contributes to good physical health.
- It supports healthy relationships with family, friends, and colleagues.
- It helps build resilience against future hardships.
- It gives you hope, optimism, and a positive outlook on life.
The Consequences of Not Addressing Mental Health Issues
The dangers of having mental health problems include:
- Substance abuse. People often turn to substances to avoid dealing with what they’re experiencing. It’s a way to numb out unpleasant emotions.
- Relationship issues. If someone is struggling mentally, they don’t have a high regard for themselves based on their situation or circumstances. This will affect how they relate to others.
- Physical illness. Mental issues will ultimately have an effect on the body. If left untreated, it can affect a person’s ability to function daily.
- Poor decision-making. When a person is not functioning well mentally, it will affect their ability to make rational or wise decisions. This can lead to financial loss and missing out on opportunities. In serious cases, it may cause a person to want to inflict self-harm.
- Job performance. If a person is not well, they will feel distracted and not perform at their best. This can cost them career advancement opportunities.
It’s important to realize you’re not alone if you are struggling with mental health issues. One of the biggest challenges to overcome is the stigma that has been around mental health.
Thankfully, conversations around mental health have increased awareness of its importance and why it needs to be a priority in life.
How to Tell If You Are Struggling with Mental Health Issues
Here are five signs you need to pay attention to and address quickly, so you can prevent further issues in the short and long run.
1. You experience regular mood swings and are triggered easily
If you feel angry, sad, anxious, or frustrated more than usual, it may indicate you are suffering from a mental health issue. While mood swings occur for most people, they usually go away and don’t last long.
If you’re triggered by what’s happening in the world or around you, or by what others do or say, it’s also a sign you’re struggling with something.
2. You feel really down or depressed all the time
If you struggle to experience joy, laugh out loud, or get emotional without reason, it might mean you’re dealing with a lot of sadness, that may be causing you to feel depressed.
Depression is a mood disorder characterized by feelings of sadness, despair, hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness, anger, agitation, fatigue, trouble sleeping, lack of interest in activities once enjoyed, appetite changes, low energy, poor concentration, and difficulty making decisions.
3. Your sleep patterns have changed
If you find it hard to fall asleep, you’re restless when sleeping, you’re staying awake later than normal, or you’re sleeping too much or too little, it suggests something is affecting you mentally or emotionally.
You may be dealing with high levels of stress, anxiety, or generating unhealthy thoughts.
4. You feel you’re losing control and unable to cope
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or don’t think you have control over your thoughts or emotions, it’s a sign of a mental struggle.
Constantly reliving an unpleasant or traumatic experience means you have unresolved issues that’s causing you to not function well.
5. You have trouble concentrating
If you find yourself distracted by your environments and unable to focus, it’s a sign something is bothering you mentally or you’re dealing with a lot of stress.
While this is not always something serious, it’s a reminder there are things going on for you that you need to address.
Mental health issues should not be ignored. They can be addressed and treated. The sooner you get help, the better your chances you can overcome them.
Things You Can Do If You Are Struggling with Your Mental Health
Here are ten things you can do if you know you’re struggling with your mental health.
- Speak first to someone you trust about how you are feeling.
- Get professional help if you don’t feel better after speaking to someone you trust.
- Focus on your self-care and wellness.
- Spend time with those who support you and are a positive influence.
- Practice relaxing either through breathing or mindfulness techniques.
- Do things you love or try new things.
- Learn to manage stress better.
- Spend time in nature.
- Pay closer attention to what you eat and drink.
- Don’t wait until things get more serious before asking for help.
Final Thoughts
Your mental health affects every aspect of your life, which is why it needs to be a high priority. If you know you are struggling with mental health issues, getting help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength and intelligence.
If you know you’re struggling, stop suffering in silence and reach out to someone so you can address it.
Action Step: If you know you have not been feeling well for an extended period and you don’t know why, check if you’re dealing with any of the signs mentioned. Speak to someone just to share how you feel and then determine whether you need to get further help.
Question: What are other ways to know if you are struggling with mental health issues?
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