Signs that you should talk to someone about your mental health

Talking to someone about your mental health and the issues you may be facing isn’t a sign of weakness or something to be ashamed of. It’s the exact opposite. Admitting you need help—and recognizing the signs your body is struggling—is critical to enhancing and improving your well-being. Here are 20 things to think about. (Note: we are not medical professionals, so please discuss these with your closest healthcare professional.)

You can’t concentrate

Mental health issues, like depression and anxiety, can impair attention and concentration. They deplete the brain’s ability to regulate behaviour. The average person can focus on a task for 15 to 20 minutes (at minimum). If you’re finding that a challenge, a therapist can give you tips on how to cope.

You can’t regulate your emotions

We all feel sad, anxious, or angry at some point (heck, you may experience those emotions every day). When they become omnipresent and overwhelming, however, it may be time to speak with someone. Uncontrolled emotions have been linked to depression.

You notice a drop in performance

If you used to wake up every day to get things done and suddenly find yourself struggling to do anything—whether that’s going to school or putting laundry away—you may be burnt out. Mental health issues can lead to a drop in productivity, largely because the brain’s function is impaired. Seeking help can remedy the issue.

You stop eating or begin eating too much

Everyone responds to stress and mental health issues differently. That includes their relationship to food. Those who are overwhelmed by stress may find that food tastes bland or that it hurts to swallow, so they stop eating. On the flip side, sugar and fat can dampen emotions and stress, which may cause some individuals to overeat. By noticing changes in your food intake, you may be able to spot burgeoning mental health issues before they get too serious.

You start binge drinking

The research on whether alcohol is bad for you is still inconclusive; what’s clear is that binge drinking (more than four drinks in a sitting) is wildly dangerous for the body and one’s mental health. Studies show that those who are suffering from things like anxiety and depression tend to consume more alcohol—especially in one sitting—than those who aren’t. Why? Alcohol can mask difficult emotions.

You can no longer sleep

Anxiety and stress can profoundly impact the quality and quantity of a person’s sleep. Worse still, insomnia can lead to depression. If you notice you’re suddenly sleeping less and are having difficulty staying asleep, and that pattern continues for more than a few weeks, it’s time to talk to a professional.

You can’t get out of bed

Feeling sluggish after a busy week or an evening of socializing is one thing. Being unable to get out of bed because you’re full of dread about doing anything beyond sleeping is another. The latter fatigue has been linked to a number of mental health issues, including depression and burnout.

You start experiencing aches and pains

People experience aches and pains for a variety of reasons (things like headaches and stomach aches) and that includes complications with their mental health. Researchers have found that when someone is stressed, the nervous system sends certain signals to the gut and intestines, triggering a specific response that leads to nausea, cramping, and even diarrhea.

You can’t quiet your brain

Researchers have found that when someone is stressed or experiencing depression, their brain increases its electrical activity. This may lead to the sensation that their mind is racing. Being unable to quiet that chatter—either through meditation, to-do list making, or exercise—is a sure sign your body’s stress level is elevated and you may need help coping.

You’re not giving yourself a chance to rest

Rest is critical for the repair and well-being of our bodies. If you feel you can’t take enough time to enjoy a break, even if your body is telling you you should, it’s a sign you’re operating in fight-or-flight mode and are hyper-stressed. A professional can help you build tools to cope.

You can’t see joy in the world

Scientists have found that when someone is experiencing mental health issues, the parts of their brain that feel things like pleasure and joy shut down. When they shut down, the world can appear bleak and lacking in joy. This sensation can come on suddenly or take some time to manifest. Either way, if you find you used to wear rose-coloured glasses but now can no longer feel happiness, you may be struggling in some way.

Your emotions feel wrong

A unique and often unknown symptom of anxiety is feeling like you’re having an out-of-body experience when it comes to your emotions. You may feel like they’re wrong or abnormal, unstable or unpredictable. All of these sensations (and many more) may precede or accompany symptoms of anxiety and depression.

You feel unsatisfied

Because a brain that’s experiencing stress or the trauma of a mental health issue has difficulty processing pleasure, a common sign you need to seek help is that everything feels deeply unsatisfying. This can even extend to relationships. You may notice you can’t express love or feel connection to others the way you used to. You may even start to pick fights with others in an attempt to push them away. Either way, low levels of satisfaction for extended periods is a critical thing to pay attention to.

You never act on your goals

It’s normal to make goals and then, for whatever reason, decide they don’t suit your life or current circumstances. But if there are projects you’ve always wanted to undertake—things you constantly think about tackling—but never do, then it may be time to dig into why you procrastinate. It could be anxiety, depression, or perfectionism that’s holding you back.

You find it hard to make and keep friends

There are those who struggle to make friends and those who don’t. The difference? The former may not have been taught how to socialize when they were young. These individuals could also have attachment issues. Delving into why it’s so difficult to maintain relationships is critical to a person’s well-being.

You’ve become unreliable

If you from a few months ago could stay on top of their inbox, respond to texts, or remember the most basic of things, while the you of today struggles with such tasks, it’s probably a good idea to talk to a therapist. When the brain becomes overwhelmed by the emotions commonly associated to conditions like ADHD and anxiety, it becomes harder to focus and accomplish day-to-day to-dos and people may become unreliable. A therapist can help you figure out where the shift came from and how to cope.

You’re always rushing

Stress, burnout, and chronic anxiety can stimulate the body thanks to an increase in adrenaline. That higher level of energy can make you think you can move or do things faster than you really should. This may lead to rushing. It may also lead to twitching. If you sense you’re hyper-stimulated and can’t calm your body, it may be time to seek help.

You don’t like you

Everyone is unique and we each have traits that we love and loathe about ourselves. If you find you’re constantly comparing yourself to others and thinking ill of who you are, therapy can help you make peace with your personality.

You’ve thought about getting help

If you’ve overheard other people talking about their experiences in therapy to deal with mental health issues and thought this approach might work for you too, chances are you would benefit from seeing a therapist. Those who are struggling with their mental health often unconsciously hold themselves back from getting the help they need. Taking the first step to find someone to talk to is—and always will be—the hardest step to take.

You’ve thought about suicide

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death around the world. The number of people who contemplate suicide is even higher. Suicide—or thinking about suicide—is rarely caused by a single circumstance or event. It’s critical that, if you find yourself contemplating the act, you let a loved one or professional know. Doing so will save your life.

Support Resources for your mental health

Mental Health UK

https://mentalhealth-uk.org/

Samaritans

https://www.samaritans.org/

Mind

https://www.mind.org.uk/

Mind has a network of local branches that provide comprehensive mental health services, from crisis helplines to drop-in centres, housing support, and counselling.

Infoline: 0300 123 3393

Email: [email protected]

Rethink Mental Illness

https://www.rethink.org

Committed to supporting those severely affected by mental illness, Rethink Mental Illness offers advocacy, urgent help, and community-based services.

Anxiety UK

http://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/

Anxiety UK supports individuals nationwide, particularly young people, working to ensure everyone has timely access to mental health support.

Phone: 03444 775 774 (Mon-Fri, 9.30am-5.30pm)

Bipolar UK

http://www.bipolaruk.org/

As the UK’s only charity dedicated to bipolar disorder, Bipolar UK empowers individuals through peer support, including online communities, support groups, and telephone services. While this charity does not provide crisis support, it offers valuable ongoing assistance.

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)

http://www.thecalmzone.net/

CALM provides crucial support for anyone struggling with mental health issues. Their helpline and live chat are available daily from 5pm to midnight, ensuring access to guidance when needed.

Helpline: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm-midnight, every day)

Contact

http://www.contact.org.uk/

Contact is a coalition of mental health organisations offering support tailored to UK veterans and their families.

Together for Mental Wellbeing

Together delivers mental health services across England, including practical and community-based support, to help individuals manage the personal impacts of mental health issues.

Phone: 020 7780 7300

Email: [email protected]