Knowing When To Seek Mental Health

There are many experiences in our lives that might put an especially heavy burden on our feelings and emotions, causing us to feel alone and hopeless about our existing circumstances. There are many situations that can cause emotional distress, such as a divorce in the family or a death of a loved one. Difficult situations may make you feel sad or "blue" for a while, but that's different than having a mental health problem. Changes in feelings such as fear and anger are a normal part of life; however, a problem like depression and anxiety can be very serious. It is important to know who you are, your moods, and the various factors that might trigger such feelings. For example, young people suffering from depression often feel an overwhelming sense of helplessness and hopelessness for long periods. Depression may lead to suicidal feelings. This makes it especially important to recognize the need to seek out professional help. Certain experiences, thoughts, and feelings signal the presence of a variety of mental health problems or the need for help. The following signs are important to recognize and may indicate that it is time for you to seek professional help. If you recognize yourself in more than three of these indicators, please seek help from a mental health professional.

• You want to sleep all the time.
• You are withdrawing from other people.
• You are having big mood swings.
• You are having very low energy.
• You find yourself crying uncontrollably over seemingly "little" things.
• You have lost the desire to do the things you used to enjoy, such as your hobbies and pleasurable activities.
• You are experiencing a change in eating or sleeping patterns.
• You are experiencing unreasonable anxiety, panic, or fears.
• You are unable to concentrate for any length of time.
• You feel worthless and immensely guilty over things that are not your fault.
• You feel easily irritated or angry and cannot seem to process your feelings.
• You are experiencing racing thoughts or agitation.
• You are using alcohol or drugs - even in small amounts - to intentionally numb the pain.
• You are hearing voices or seeing images that other people do not experience.
• You believe that others are plotting against you.
• You are finding little or no pleasure in life.
• You feel you simply can not cope with what is happening in your life.
• You want to escape from your life.\
• You want to harm yourself or someone else.
  

Identifying these signs or figuring out what they mean might not necessarily be easy. However, as a general rule, the longer the signs last, the more serious they may be. The more they interfere with and take over your daily life, the greater the chance that professional treatment is needed.