Getting help for mental health isn’t something to be embarrassed about. You wouldn’t be embarrassed about seeking help for a broken bone, so why should you treat your mental health any differently? Unfortunately, many people don’t realize that they are struggling with something that can be treated, so they suffer in silence. They become addicted to drugs or alcohol, they self-medicate with food, or they sleep so much without ever feeling refreshed. There are plenty of signs that you may be struggling with your mental health, and here are 7 of them.
You Struggle With Addiction
Not all people who have mental health struggles are addicts, but most people who struggle with addiction do have some mental health needs. Some turn to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate for anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other conditions that they may not even know they have. Many of our local Los Angeles addiction treatment centers don’t just focus on the addiction; they look for underlying causes as well. It’s hard to take the first step to getting clean and sober, but it’s possible to live life in recovery and to overcome it when you have the right team of people to help you. It’s especially helpful when you can simultaneously get help for your mental health.
You Experience Sleep Abnormalities
Some people who need mental health treatment struggle with getting out of bed in the mornings. It’s not just usual exhaustion, but almost an inability or lack of ability to do it. These kinds of people find themselves sleeping long hours, but never feeling rested. Others may experience the opposite. They can be awake for longer than normal and struggle to fall asleep. They find themselves constantly busy, moving, and unable to sit down and rest. Sleep abnormalities or sudden changes in your sleep patterns could indicate a mental health need.
Your Moods Are All Over the Place
While hormonal changes can certainly impact moods, if all your levels come back in the normal range, you could have some underlying mental health needs. It’s important to work with your medical team to get the help you need. There are lifestyle changes and behavioral changes you may be able to make to help balance out your moods. Additionally, if those fail, your doctor may prescribe medication to help you even out your moods.
You Experience Fear
It’s normal to be scared from time to time. Being scared of heights because you could fall or worrying about your toddler running into traffic when you’re near a busy street are all very rational. But if you experience debilitating fear that makes it hard for you to live a normal and active life, you may need mental health treatment. Sometimes fear is triggered by a specific event, or it’s compounded by a tragedy. Fear of dying might be compounded by a recent loss. If you’re experiencing extensive fear, it’s okay to reach out for help. Mental health professionals can help you learn healthy ways to cope with fear and give you tools to help you live a more active life.
You Feel Apathetic or Irritable All the Time
The truth is that apathy and irritability both may indicate a mental health need. Neither of these are talked about in the same ways that depression and anxiety are, but they both can be symptoms of underlying mental illness. It’s normal to have moments of frustration or times where you don’t care. But it’s not normal to be angry or frustrated about the tiniest of things. And it’s definitely not normal to be uncaring all the time. If you find yourself feeling indifferent about life, your job, and even yourself, and these feelings don’t go away, perhaps it’s time to get help.
You Have Sudden Changes in Appetite or Weight
If you’re used to eating all the time, and suddenly you don’t feel like it anymore, or you barely ate before and now you’re ravenous, it could mean you are going through a mental health crisis. Food addiction is a real thing. People sometimes use certain foods to cope with trauma because it makes them feel good. But the more they eat, the more it takes to get those same feelings and they end up spiraling into overeating and perhaps end up with a binge-eating disorder as well. On the other side of things, no longer eating enough can also be a problem.If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, it’s okay to reach out for help. Getting the help you need can give you a more fulfilling life and help you step into adulthood, new careers, and make changes in life with confidence.
