A tell-tale signs of Mental Health issue could be excessive mood change, drinking too much, crying often than necessary, being a party pooper, extreme change in social lifestyle or sudden life in behaviour,feelings and thoughts(repetitive and possessive)
Hence, If a friend or loved one doesn't seem themselves. Learn the signs that could prompt you to think that a friend or family member is affected by Mental health problems. However, often it's not a single change or sign but a combination.
The following 14 signs are not to help you diagnose a mental health issue, but instead to reassure you that there might be good reason to seek medical attention or more information about your concerns or behaviour.
1. SLEEP
Sleep disturbances.
If you're sleeping more than usual or less than usual, if you can't fall asleep or wake up after only a few hours and can't go back to sleep, experts say emotional distress may be looming large in your life.
"If you have recurring disturbances of sleep more than once or twice a week, and there are no physical reasons your doctor can identify, your problem may be linked to a psychological problem -- most commonly, anxiety or depression.
2. WEIGHT
Many of us want to lose a few kilos, but for some people fluctuating weight or rapid weight loss could be one of the warning signs of a mental illness, such as depression or an eating disorder . Other mental health issues can impact appetite and weight too.
Dramatic weight fluctuations/changes in eating patterns. Have you gained or lost a significant amount of weight without any changes in your diet or exercise regime? Do you find yourself constantly thinking about food -- or repulsed by the thought of eating? If so, experts say it could be a sign of emotional distress.
"Constant preoccupation with food, weight, and body image is a sign that an eating disorder is sapping energy from other areas of life. In women and young girls a loss of menstruation in conjunction with changes in appetite can also be a sign of trouble.
Lack of appetite can sometimes be a sign of depression.
3. UNEXPLAINED SYMPTOMS
Unusual symptoms that resist the million-dollar workup can be a sign that your body is expressing some kind of emotional upset. Problems commonly linked to emotional distress can include headaches, a rumbling stomach, diarrhea, constipation, and chronic pain -- especially backaches.
4. DIFFICULTY MANAGING ANGER
Everyone has different moods, but sudden and dramatic changes in mood, such as extreme distress or anger , can be a symptom of mental illness.
Are you fine when you're by yourself but frequently get provoked to an explosion by your spouse, children, friends, or co-workers? If so, you may be on stress overload, a situation that is dangerous to your physical and mental health -- and unhealthy for those around you.
"Not being able to control your anger is a sign of inability to manage feelings. And this is the one symptom that has the biggest impact on other people; children and women especially are affected.
Generally, she says, folks who have anger-management problems do not recognize the symptoms because they feel fine when they are by themselves.
"This is something that only comes into play in relation to another person -- so it's easy to blame the other person for what is really your symptom.
Even if you don't see the signs in yourself, consider counseling if your boss, co- workers, spouse, family, or friends are frequently telling you to calm down and watch your temper.
OBSESSIVE ,TIRED, or FORGETFUL?
5. Compulsive/obsessive behaviors. Are you washing your hands -- or feel a compulsion to do so -- even though there's no logical reason? Has the fun gone out of life because you are constantly worrying that something bad is going to happen? Does it take you an hour or more to leave your home because you're bogged down with a series of "rituals" -- like touching things or rechecking locks, the stove, the iron? If so, you may have more anxiety in your life than you can handle alone.
"Obsessions are repetitive thoughts which resemble worry and are accompanied by anxiety. Compulsions are behavioral acts designed to eliminate the obsessions. And sometimes if your mind becomes so cluttered with obsessions, and your day so filled with compulsions, life as you know becomes completely taken over by anxiety and counterproductive rituals.
6. CHRONIC FATIGUE , TIREDNESS , AND LACK OF ENERGY .
When the body cannot handle emotional overload, it simply begins to shut down. And that is often manifested by a sense of extreme tiredness and fatigue.
Another sign is feeling too "beat" to do the things you used to love -- even when a physical checkup shows everything is alright -- can be a sign of emotional distress and depression.
7. MEMORY PROBLEMS
Lots of things can temporarily interfere with your memory, from the hormonal changes of menopause, to a preoccupation with a work problem, to a lack of sleep. But it can also be caused by stress, a reaction to a traumatic event, or sometimes an illness such as Alzheimer's disease. How do you know the difference?
"You need a physical examination first and foremost. If everything checks out OK, then anxiety, depression, or sometimes an unrecognized reaction to a traumatic event you have yet to deal with may be behind your forgetfulness.
SOCIAL ACTIVITY
8. Shunning social activity.
Did you love to go the movies with friends and now you don't? Do you seem fine at work but the minute you are home you jump into bed and just "veg out"? Are you turning down invitations because you simply feel better when you stay at home? Experts say all can be signs that your emotions may be getting the best of you.
"Any significant change in social behavior for a significant amount of time could indicate a stress overload or other emotional issues are at work.
Also, phobias or fears of certain places or events are keeping you from doing what you want, then anxiety may be looming large in your life.
9. MAKING LOVE IS NO LONGER FUN(MARRIED COUPLE ONLY).
Are you going through the motions and not feeling the pleasure that s*x once brought to your life? Do you love your partner, but just don't want to make love? If a physical checkup reveals everything is fine, then says an underlying depression, or an anxiety disorder, may be behind your slump.
"Diminished sexual desire and inability to feel joy in the sexual act itself can be a sign of emotional distress. While that distress may be linked to your relationship with your partner, experts say just as often it could be linked to anxiety stemming from a totally different area of your life.
10. MOOD SWINGS AND ERRATIC BEHAVIOR.
Have you noticed that your friend has lost interest in a hobby you used to share? If they have also seemed sad or irritable for the last few weeks or more, lacking in motivation and energy or are teary all the time, they might be dealing with depression as a result of mood swings or changes.
Of such sudden change in mood is noticed by more than one person. While life may seem like "business as usual" to you, if friends or family members are commenting on your "moody" behavior, experts say pay attention.
"You have to listen to not only your own inner voice, but also listen to what you hear from your best friends, your neighbors, your spouse, your family.
Others can have an observation of you that you cannot see. "The greater number of people telling you that something is wrong, the more you need to pay attention."
11. FEELING WORRIED
We all get worried or stressed from time to time. But anxiety could be the sign of a mental health issue if it’s constant and interferes all the time. Other symptoms of anxiety may include heart palpitations, shortness of breath ,
headache, restlessness, diarrhoea or a racing mind.
12. UNNECESSARILY QUIET or WITHDRAWN.
We all need quiet time occasionally, but withdrawing from life, especially if this is a major change, could indicate a mental health issue. If a friend or loved one is regularly isolating themselves, they may have depression, bipolar , a psychotic disorder, or another mental health issue. Refusing to join in social activities may be a sign they need help.
13. SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Are you worried a loved one is drinking too much? Using substances, such as alcohol or drugs , to cope can be a sign of, and a contributor to, mental health issues.
14. FEELING GUILTY or WORTHLESS
Thoughts like ‘I’m a failure’, ‘It’s my fault’ or ‘I’m worthless’ are all possible signs of a mental health issue, such as depression. Your friend or loved one may need help if they’re frequently criticising or blaming themselves. When severe, a person may express a feeling to hurt or kill themselves. This feeling could mean the person is suicidal and urgent help is needed.
HAVE YOU SEEN THE ABOVE SIGNS LATELY IN SELF OR OTHERS?
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