Nine Warning Signs of Mental Health Issues

Whether someone is acting unusual or they seem to be in an ongoing bad mood, any dramatic change in thoughts, feelings or behaviour could be a warning sign of mental illness. It’s important to understand that these changes are not normal and it’s time to seek help.

One of these signs on its own isn’t a surefire indicator, especially with biological changes that many tweens and teens go through. However, several of these red flags together are cause for concern.

1. Change in Mood

Mood changes are often a sign of Mental Health Problems. For instance, extreme low moods that last for more than two weeks could indicate depression. In addition, persistent feelings of worry or fear may be a sign of anxiety disorder.

If you notice dramatic shifts in your emotions, talk to a mental health professional. They can help you determine the cause and find treatment options. They might recommend medication or psychotherapy.

2. Change in Sleep Patterns

When you sleep, your brain goes through different phases. The first, known as light sleep or NREM stage 1, lasts a few minutes and involves periods of muscle relaxation while your eye movement stops, heart rate slows, and body temperature dips.

A change in sleeping patterns could be a sign of a mental health issue such as insomnia or sleep disorders like narcolepsy. It can also be a sign of anxiety or other emotional problems.

3. Change in Emotions

People with mental health issues can experience a variety of emotions. Some may be withdrawn, while others might be highly emotional or angry.

Everyone experiences mood shifts throughout the day, but they can become serious when they affect a person's ability to function. This is a sign that it's time to seek professional help.

Mental illnesses can be triggered by genetics, brain chemistry and early life experiences. They can also be exacerbated by stress, alcohol or drug abuse and other factors.

4. Change in Behavior

Symptoms of mental illness can take many forms. Unexplained anxiety, a recurring sense of fear that seems irrational, unexplained stomach pain and extreme anger or despondency can all be warning signs.

In the precontemplation stage, people are aware that their behavior has negative consequences but are not yet ready to change. They might weigh the pros and cons of changing their habits. They might even be considering getting help.

5. Change in Performance

Despite the growing importance of mental health, workplaces have been slow to adapt to better support their employees. This is especially true when it comes to distinguishing between a performance, motivation or attitude problem and one that may be underpinned by a mental health difficulty.

If an employee is showing signs of poor health, such as frequent lateness or missing work, it’s important to speak to them and help them seek treatment. This could involve counseling or medication.

6. Change in Relationships

Often, when someone is diagnosed with mental health issues, their symptoms affect their relationships. Family members may feel hurt, confused or relieved. It is important to communicate openly, aided by a trained therapist or couple’s counselor.

Most people with serious mental illness have warning signs for more details by Universeheadline.com, and noticing them is the first step to getting help. The best way to support a loved one is to learn as much about their condition and treatment options.

7. Change in Self-Esteem

Most people’s thoughts and feelings about themselves will fluctuate somewhat based on their daily experiences. A bad grade on an exam, ups and downs in a relationship or even something as simple as getting a cold can affect their self-concept.

But when these changes are significant, it could be a sign of mental illness. If you notice a change, it’s important to learn more about the condition and seek help if needed.

8. Change in Eating Habits

Drastic changes in eating habits are a warning sign of mental illness. This includes going too long without eating, extreme dieting and eating disorders.

People who are eating too little should seek help as soon as possible. Eating too little causes the brain to go into starvation mode and can lead to problems such as headaches, dizziness and fainting. It is also important to eat food that doesn’t interfere with medications taken for mental health conditions.

9. Change in Personality

Personality traits are generally stable over long periods of time, but research has shown that personality changes can happen. They can be a sign of mental health issues.

Final Words:

For example, a person with schizophrenia may have severe mood swings, or paranoid thoughts and hallucinations. These are signs that something is wrong and they need to see a doctor right away.

A brain tumor can also change someone’s personality, making them more aggressive or suspicious of others. It can also affect their memory and problem-solving abilities.