Mental health issues cover a wide range of psychological health conditions that affect a person’s behaviour, thinking, and mood. Substance abuse, alcohol consumption, being all doom and gloom all the time, thinking about death, or changes in behaviour might be a few clear signs of a mental disorder. That said, most of the time, all these signs come as a package instead of one at a time.
Signs Of Impending Mental Health Issues
Mental health issues can make people feel wholly miserable. They can cause severe problems in their day-to-day life at work, school, or at home. These problems can also have a significant impact on their relationships with others. That said, in most cases, symptoms are manageable with the right combination of therapy and medicine.
In such a case, do not undermine the situation’s urgency and book an appointment with a mental health therapist or counsellor immediately. You can ask people in your circle for references or do a quick search online if you want to avoid too much attention. Alternatively, if you are healthy, you can choose to help others too by completing a counseling degree online, acquiring relevant experience, and a state license to practice. Being a qualified counsellor or therapist does not require extensive medical education and training as a psychiatric specialist.
Feeling of hopelessness
Mental health issues such as mood disorders affect how a person feels about her or his life in general. Having a weak or hopeless outlook on life is the most common sign of an impending mental health issue.
Other feelings might include inappropriate or misdirected guilt, self-hate, or worthlessness. Recurring thoughts that indicate a person suffers from mental health issues might be when they always say it’s their fault when it isn’t.
Loss of interest
Mental health issues such as depression can take the enjoyment and pleasure out of the things a person loves to do. Withdrawal from activities or loss of interest that a person once looked forward to, such as going out with friends, hobbies, or sports, is another alarming sign of declining mental health.
Another area a person might lose interest in is sexual intercourse, leading to impotence in extreme cases. This can be a problem for people who are in relationships. Therefore, it is best to consult with a suitable therapist to prevent any issues from escalating.
Sleep issues and increased fatigue
One reason a person might stop doing the things she or he loves is due to tiredness. Mental health issues often come with an overwhelming feeling of fatigue and a lack of energy to do activities. And such a thing can lead to excessive sleeping.
Mental illness can also sometimes lead to insomnia. Both are interlinked with each other and can make the other worse. For instance, if you don’t get adequate sleep, it can lead to anxiety or depression. Both tiredness and lack of sleep are signs that are psychological issues that need attention.
Irritability, especially in males
Mental illness often affects genders differently. Mental health issues like bipolar disorder or suicidal tendencies may experience episodic rage, irritability, misplaced rage, or abusive behaviour. Furthermore, men are more likely to fail when recognizing they have such mental issues than women and will not seek treatment to get better. It is a huge sign of an impending mental health issue.
Changes in weight and appetite
Appetite and weight can fluctuate in people who suffer from mental illnesses. It can vary from person to person. Some people will gain weight after experiencing an increased appetite. In contrast, others will lose weight due to a loss of appetite.
One indication of whether or not an eating disorder is a sign of a mental health issue is if it is intentional or not. Suppose fluctuations in your appetite and eating habits are involuntary. In that case, there’s probably an underlying mental issue that needs addressing.
Talking about death all the time
When someone constantly talks about death, it is a huge sign that they have mental health issues. According to the NY Times, in the United States, around 44,000 people committed suicide in 2020 alone. People who commit suicide show some tell-tale signs first.
Often, people with suicidal tendencies have already attempted to take their life in the past or talk about doing so until finally finding the courage to kill themselves. If you feel that a loved one is continuously talking about dying, call 911, stay with the person until the authorities arrive, and remove any harmful objects from the vicinity.
Showing uncontrollable emotions
One minute there is an outburst of immense rage towards a loved one. The next, you are sitting in a corner, crying your guts out for no reason whatsoever. If nothing outside a person prompts such a change, there’s a high chance they suffer from mental health issues.
Substance abuse
People usually indulge in substance abuse or resort to alcoholism to cope with mental health issues. If you know someone who is doing such a thing, it is a tell-tale sign she or he has a mental disorder of some type. Immediately offer your help or admit them into a rehabilitation centre before they end their life through drug or alcohol overdose.
Conclusion
Usually, mental health issues start small and turn into something alarming and life-threatening over time. Significant changes in lifestyle, abrupt eating disorders, or just plain old drug abuse show that someone is in the early stages of developing a mental health disorder. If you think that a friend, loved one, or you for that matter, aren’t feeling ‘right,’ it is vital to ask for help as soon as possible.