The significant increase in mental health research is a reassuring development for human beings. With this increased research, there is also an increase in awareness of mental health issues.
However, today, mental health or psychiatric issues still have some stigma surrounding them. Several people tend to brush off psychiatric symptoms for fear of social judgment.
While a human mind can find ways to cope with present mental stress or trauma (not necessarily in healthy ways), it is always better to consult a psychologist or a psychiatrist from a renowned psychiatric hospital.
Today, many people are opening up about their mental health issues, from celebrities to influencers, on social media pages. They unreservedly explain their life circumstances leading to the disorder and how therapy or medication helped them overcome their problems.
This trend has led the general population to be more open to psychological remedies, though not all readily accept help. Mental health problems are more complex than medical problems as they can sometimes go unnoticed or be accepted as normal behavior.
An increase in suicide, abuse, and other crimes is commonly caused by some form of mental breakdown or psychiatric issues (on the part of the victim or perpetrator).
Additionally, people may refuse psychological treatment simply because they are not aware of the symptoms. The human mind is resilient, but without proper avenues of expression or remedy, it can lead to bigger psychological problems.
Sometimes people may not be aware of their mental health issues until it is too late. So what are the signs a person needs help? This article lists the few warning signs for people to watch out for, in others or themselves.
Changes In Regular Behaviour
Humans subconsciously stick to routines. Routines help regulate bodily functions, and some daily routines are followed just for the sake of regularity than anything else. A break in any of these patterns should be a cause for worry.
Occasional breaks in routines are unavoidable, but a continuous change or cessation (not caused by circumstances) is a clear warning sign of underlying psychological problems.
This change could be in sleeping patterns, increased nightmares, eating patterns, diet, socializing, change in social circles, becoming aloof, or a complete personality change. Typically, people with a tendency to avoid socializing face a type of social anxiety, which is a mental health issue.
But it is more pronounced when normally extroverted people begin cutting ties and reduce their time spent with others. This sudden change could be a call for help and is usually considered a sign of depression.
Changes in work patterns or sudden drops in grades are also warning signs. Ordinarily, a change in routine, or patterns, or personality is a signal that the person requires some form of psychological help.
Substance Abuse
Any form of substance abuse is a reaction to stressful environments. While people may try out drugs and such substances under peer pressure, the continuous usage and abuse of these substances is an emotional coping mechanism at play.
People with addictions believe that the substance somehow relieves or temporarily resolved their problems, leading them to try more and more of it. Before this situation becomes severe, it is advisable to contact the nearest rehabilitation center or psychiatric hospital for help.
The Ends Of The Emotional Spectrum
Experiencing high emotions is normal, and depending on the experience, it can also be invigorating. But these high emotions can cause chemical reactions, especially if drug-induced.
But sometimes, life circumstances are such that people tend to react in extreme ways. Depending on the severity and the situation, this can be considered normal.
But ordinarily, people experiencing intense emotions like or stress, anxiety, rage, euphoria, depression, or frequent tempers for extended periods should consider psychiatric help.
Additionally, the inability to experience emotions or “feeling numb” is also a warning sign. The failure to emote is generally worse, as it indicates a severe underlying issue.
Several mental health patients report being unable to control their emotions; sudden outbursts, inappropriate reactions to situations, etc., are all warning signs of a person calling for help.
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Physical Ailments
The mind and the body are interconnected. Sometimes, mental health issues may present themselves as physical illnesses. When doctors cannot find a medical cause for the disease, they tend to look into the person’s psychological history.
Psychosomatic disorders are a prime example of how mental illnesses come out as physical ailments—for example, extreme stress leading to heart attacks in healthy people. There are more examples like unexplained rashes, intense stomach pains, headaches, etc.
Social stigma aside, people should engage in psychiatric services if they feel they might have certain psychological problems. All mental health experts offer complete confidentiality with their services, so an individual does not have to worry about judgment.
Mental health degradation tends to pose a bigger threat to life than physical illnesses, which is why they must be given utmost importance.