Mental health issues can appear in various different ways and when you least expect it. With at least 1 in 4 people experiencing a mental health problem in their lifetime, unfortunately this statistic shows no signs of slowing down and has of course been accelerated as a result of the pandemic. It’s no understatement when we say that getting the right professional support and allowing experts like ourselves to intervene at the right time could change your life. 

In this latest blog post, we are going to outline the key indicators to look out for which may signal that you need mental health support.

Mood changes

Have you noticed considerable mood changes over the course of the last few weeks, months or even years? If so, this may be a sign that you need additional mental health support. Feeling sad or ”down” for a considerable period of time may be a clear sign that you need some additional support. In some cases, there will be an obvious reason such as bereavement from the loss of a close relative or friend. In other cases, there may be no obvious reason. in regards to mood, here are a few further signs to look out for that may require you seeking additional mental health support:

• Feeling empty about life.
• Losing joy in things you once loved.
• Noticeable changes in mood from your normal self.
• Constantly worrying or excessively stressing.
• Outbursts of violence or anger.
  
  

Behaviour Changes

Behaviour changes in a person are often the next step that escalate from mood changes that one has been experiencing for a certain period of time. One of the main behavioural changes that is common in someone suffering from mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression, is withdrawing from activities with family and friends. It’s also common to withdraw from normal social activities that you once loved or enjoyed taking part in. Another common behaviour change may also be feeling like you’ve lost time or have large gaps in your memory. Here are a few further signs to look out for that may require you seeking additional mental health support:

• Thoughts about self-harm or cutting.
• Suicidal thoughts or behaviours.
• Experiencing hallucinations.
• Experiencing delusions.
• Experiencing abnormal sensory changes.
  
  

Worsening Physical Symptoms

Another thing you should look out for and be aware of, that may be a sign that you need additional mental health support, is worsening physical symptoms. Although mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression, can result in various psychological symptoms, the physical symptoms should also be noted. Typical types of worsening physical symptoms include; constant headaches, excessive sweating. rapid heart rate, gastrointestinal symptoms, and more. Of course these symptoms can happen in isolation, and should be assessed by a mental health professional/ practitioner.

Other Common Signs

Although the three categories above are the main things to look out for, we are now going to delve deeper into more common signs to look out for within yourself, or a loved one, that may indicate that mental health support and/or assessments are required.

• Low energy – Are you finding it increasingly difficult to handle every day tasks such as brushing your teeth, getting yourself out of bed, or having a wash? We all have the odd day like this but if this is becoming a constant for you, this is a clear sign that you need some mental health support.
• Change in appetite – If you have noticed a change in your appetite, or simply have lost the energy to eat, this is another common sign. Likewise, this can also go the other way, and may be causing you to eat more than you usually would. Look out for clear changes in your weight over a short space of time.
• Disrupted sleep – When your mind isn’t at rest, you may experience disrupted sleep on a regular basis. Poor sleep is a common red flag that you’re experiencing depression or anxiety. Common issues with sleep include staying asleep and/or falling asleep in the first place. This could be a sign of a mental health problem.
• Irritability – If you’ve noticed that you feel more irritable than your normally would or you’re acting more emotional than usual, this may be another sign that your mental health is out of whack.