Signs of Mental Health Concern
You don’t need to be able to diagnose yourself or someone else with a mental health concern, but it’s important to see someone who can help, if you or others are having a hard time.
A key sign that a person isn’t doing too well is a change in the way they think, feel, act or look. You might notice these changes in yourself or in someone else.
If you’re worried, trust your instincts; you won’t necessarily feel or notice all of these changes, or you may notice something else.
When going through major life changes, such as a relationship breakdown or separation, isolation, unemployment, retirement, physical illness, or a natural disaster it can be a good idea to keep an eye out for any changes that may indicate a mental health concern. While it’s normal to have reactions to these situations, it is important to seek professional help if you or a friend are experiencing:
- extreme feelings of distress
- distress that is interfering with your ability to carry out day-to-day activities
- withdrawal from usual relationships or avoiding pleasurable activities
- feelings of overwhelming fear for no apparent reason
- feelings of excessive guilt
- using alcohol or other substances to cope
- a loss of interest in the future
- thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Changes in thoughts, might be feelings of:
- Failure or fault
- Guilt or shame
- Worthlessness
- Hopelessness
- Paranoia
Changes in feelings, such as:
- Anger or aggression
- Sadness
- Numbness or emptiness
- Low self-esteem or self-confidence
- Panic or nervousness
- Worry
- Irritation
- Restlessness
Changes in behavior could be:
- Relationship problems
- Avoiding people or activities
- Loss of interest
- Lack of motivation
- Reduced enjoyment
- Difficulty with usual tasks
- Problems concentrating
- Changes in alcohol or other drug use
- Increased risk taking
Changes in your body, for example:
- Low energy
- Unusual aches and pains
- Changes in hunger and weight
- Sleeping more or less
- Decreased interest in sex
If you’ve noticed that someone is showing some of these signs, it is important to have a conversation with them.
If you’ve noticed some of these changes in yourself, it’s OK to reach out. Mental health problems are common and treatable, and the earlier you pick up on them and find the right help, the sooner you can get on top of it. Check out your what your options are here.