signs of mental health distress
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF MENTAL HEALTH DISTRESS?
Mental health issues are a lot more common than you may realize. When a person is diabetic, running a fever, or has broken a leg- people are quick to sympathize. But when someone is depressed, anxious, suffering from a mental health condition, do people around even know? If they did, would they empathize or look away?
What if a close family member is depressed? Would you be able to identify it? Would you know what to say to them or help them seek help?
Here are some signs that would help you recognize that your loved one may be struggling with their mental health. While each disorder has its own signs and symptoms, any change from what is considered normal for that particular individual, may need more attention.
Broadly,
- Changes in sleep
- Changes in appetite
- Mood swings and irritability
- Emotional outbursts
- Social isolation
- Issues with concentration, memory, reasoning, speech and gait
- Strange or uncharacteristic behaviour
- Lack of interest, motivation or desire in activities that they previously enjoyed
- Disorientation
- Detachment or a sense of being disconnected from things around them
- Delusions, having suspicions, illogical thinking and fears
- Unusual drop in performance at school or work- such as constantly missing deadlines or failing in exams
- Difficulties in interpersonal relationships
- Absenteeism at school or work
- Increased sensitivity to sound, smell, touch, sights
- Suicidal thoughts
- Prolonged headaches, stomach aches and other aches or pains for which other causes have been ruled out
THE LIST BELOW HAS INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO VARIOUS CONDITIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES
ANXIETY
Worrying in certain situations is not unusual. There are times in our lives where we get anxious or stressed out- like if we need to write an exam or have a presentation to make. However, if a person is constantly on edge, scared, worried, unable to relax, it is possible they have anxiety-related issues and should seek help. While it sounds scary, anxiety disorders are among the most treatable of mental health disorders.[10]
Some signs to look out for:
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Restlessness
- Trouble with concentration while performing tasks
- Not wanting to leave home or meet people
- Excessive fears and worry
- Agitation
- Digestion issues, exhaustion, palpitations
Read more on Anxiety
Toolkits for Anxiety:
https://caps.umich.edu/article/online-anxiety-toolbox
https://myusf.usfca.edu/caps/self-help-resources/stress-anxiety
DEPRESSION
In our fast paced lives, feeling sad, lonely, overwhelmed or dejected, sometimes, can be normal reactions to everyday stressors. But if there are prolonged feelings of sadness, worthlessness, lack of motivation to do things you would otherwise enjoy, hopelessness that interferes with your ability to lead your life- it may be time to consult a professional.
Some signs to look out for:
- Being withdrawn
- Lack of motivation or interest in tasks
- Feeling sad and hopeless for prolonged periods of time
- Drop in performance at school or work or absenteeism
- Changes in sleep and appetite
- Tiredness, diminished energy, aches and pains
- Attempts to harm themselves
Read more on Detecting Depression
Read more on Causes and Symptoms
Toolkit for Depression
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
While you may know a friend or family member who loves to relax with a drink or two, one of them may be hiding a bigger issue. Substance use disorder involves the excessive use of certain substances like alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, opioids or painkillers, to name a few. The person could be smoking, vaping, or using medicines like cough syrups. Those affected find it difficult to keep away from their substance(s) of choice, which may lead to addiction. Professional help is needed.
Some signs to look out for:
- Excessive usage of substance(s) of choice
- Attempting to cut down usage but not being able to
- Falling short at work, school, or other responsibilities due to substance use
- Unable to give it up despite issues in interpersonal relationships
- Needing more and more quantities of the substance to feel a certain effect
- Spending inordinate amount of time and money obtaining the substance, using it, and trying to quit
- Having withdrawal symptoms when cutting back on usage
Read more on Substance Abuse
POST - TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER ( PTSD )
A person who has been through a scary or traumatic experience can develop PTSD. It can also happen to people working in certain professions as well as those who’ve had a loved one go through a traumatic experience. Most people who’ve gone through a dangerous incident react with shock, anger, fear and sometimes guilt, but it goes away. For those with PTSD these feelings don’t go away and can interfere with their lives.
Some signs to look out for:
- Flashbacks or nightmares where they relive the traumatic event
- Avoiding anything that reminds them of the incident- places, people, thoughts
- Being easily startled, having difficulty with sleep, emotional outbursts, difficulty in concentration, difficulty in feeling emotions like happiness, lack in interest in activities they previously enjoyed
- Physical symptoms like increased heart rate, nausea, sweating
Read more on PTSD
Read more on Signs, Symptoms and Treatment
EATING DISORDERS
Eating disorders can affect any gender and race.[11] Genetics, social factors and a person’s personality are all involved in their propensity towards developing an eating disorder.[11] There are different types, each of which have their symptoms. Many are unaware that these disorders can have a high risk of death.[11] It is therefore very important to look out for signs especially in adolescents and young adults.
Some signs to look out for:
- Deep fear of gaining weight or getting ‘fat’
- Major weight loss
- Intense dieting, avoiding certain types of food
- Unhealthy obsession with weighing themselves, counting calories
- Eating too little, missing meals, avoiding eating in public
- Eating too much and throwing up
- Exercising too much
- Issues with digestion, sleep, immunity, feeling too cold, thin nails and hair[12]
Read more on Eating Disorders
Read more on Signs for different eating disorders
NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
Neurodevelopmental disorders as the name suggests are conditions wherein the development and growth of the brain is affected.[13] Signs or delays show up in early childhood and can last their lifetime. Examples include ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), and Intellectual Developmental Disorder.
Some signs to look out for:
- Speech
- Memory
- Learning
- Behavior
- Communication
- Social skills
- Everyday functioning[13]
Read more on Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Read more on Types, Causes and Treatment
GENDER DYSPHORIA
Gender dysphoria refers to the distress that arises when a person feels there is a mismatch between their biological sex (that is assigned at birth), and their gender identity (the individual’s psychological sense of their gender).[14], [15], [16] This is not a mental illness but could lead to mental health issues.[14] While this may show up in childhood for many, it could also start later on.[15] Depending on whether it is a child, an adolescent or adult, there is specific criteria for diagnosis.[15]
In children, it is important to distinguish between gender dysphoria and behavior that is considered typical in childhood.[16]
Conversion Therapy should NOT be given to anyone at any cost.
Some signs to look out for:
- Insistence that they are of a different gender
- Wanting to be that gender
- A strong need to be treated like the other gender (or one different from what was assigned at birth)
- Wanting to change, hide, or get rid of physical characteristics pertaining to the gender assigned at birth
- In children, having a marked preference for clothes, toys, and activities that are usually associated with a different gender, and not wanting what is typical of their assigned gender
- Anxiety, depression, issues with self-esteem, social isolation, not taking care of themselves[14]
Read more on Sexual and Gender Identity Terms
Read more on Evils of Conversion Therapy
Read more on Elevating Evidence-Based LGBT+ Care
Read more on Gender Dysphoria
Read more on How to Identify and Treat Gender Dysphoria
Read more on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
SEXUAL VIOLENCE
Sexual violence can happen to anyone irrespective of age and gender. It is unwanted sexual contact of any type- including words and actions, against their will, without consent.[17] It is important to note and reiterate that the victim is never at fault. Victims often know their perpetrators.
Some signs to look out for[18],[19]:
- Injuries such as bruising, bleeding, fractures, soreness
- Difficulty sitting and walking
- Self-harm, change in eating patterns
- Difficulty with trust
- Emotional outbursts and isolation
A Virtual Resource Guide
Read more on Sexual Violence
Read more on Warning Signs
SUICIDE
While this may be hard to talk to about, suicide which is preventable, claims thousands of lives across the globe. People may contemplate suicide due to various difficulties- be it financial, health, relationship or others.[20] A person struggling with mental health conditions could also contemplate the same- especially those battling depression and substance use. However, the biggest risk factor is a past attempt; those who have attempted suicide in the past are most likely to do so again.
Some signs to look out for[21]:
- Talking about being a burden, about ending their life
- Being sad, withdrawn, anxious, in extreme pain, having sleeping difficulties
- Engaging in risky behaviour like driving too fast
- Planning or researching on ways to end their life
- Making a will, saying goodbye to loved ones, giving away possessions
Read more about the Signs and how to help
Read more on the Indian context
Read more about Suicide- Myths and Reality
Read more on Self-harm