Mental health is one of the most critical aspects of our health, and it’s the total of our psychological, social, and emotional well-being. Our mental health affects our actions, reasoning, and feelings, making it essential in every stage of life, from childhood to adulthood.
Just like physical health, mental health can change over time, and these changes are usually caused by things that exceed a person’s coping abilities. Stress is one of the main factors that change mental health. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to avoid stress in our modern and chaotic world.
Stress and anxiety have become more or less a part of our everyday life. Negative emotions pop up now and then, which is expected given the stress most people are subjected to. But when these emotions linger and affect day-to-day life, it may be time to seek professional help.
Everyone needs to know the difference between normal mental strain and conditions that need professional attention. You should consider seeing a professional when you are constantly depressed, paralyzed by stress, or have difficulty controlling your emotions.
The problem most people have when seeking help is that they don’t know where to start. However, some research will point you in the right direction. Many institutions are dedicated to mental health, such as FHE Health Restore, the brainchild of Sherief Abu-Moustafa. But you can also reach out to your primary physician and have them refer you to a specialist.
Below are signs it’s time to seek help for your mental health:
Stress Becomes Overwhelming
Stress is a feeling of emotional tension and how we react to challenging situations. The body’s fight-or-flight response becomes activated when an individual is stressed. Common stress causes include financial issues, divorce, bereavement, natural disasters, pandemics, and work-related pressure.
With the significant causes of stress mentioned, it’s easy to see why individuals will feel stressed at some point. But when stress overwhelms a person, it may be time to seek professional help. If stress is not managed, it can escalate and cause many problems.
A person under intense stress is likely to have a weaker immune system and become more susceptible to disease conditions like hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Sleep problems, stomach upset, and changes in sex drive are other potential effects of stress. Stress also impacts a person’s mental well-being, as stress can cause cognitive problems.
Depression Becomes The Order of The Day
Depression is characterized by negative emotions, including constant sadness and loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed by an individual. A depressed person finds it difficult to think, focus, and make decisions and may constantly feel worthless or guilty. The person may also have thoughts of suicide or death. It’s worth noting that depression is different from sadness or guilt.
Most people will experience depression at some stage in their lives. But when depression lingers and becomes the order of the day, then it’s time to seek professional help. Multiple treatments are available, and the specialist will work with the patient to come up with the best treatment option.
Debilitating Anxiety
A fine line separates anxiety and stress. Stress is caused by an external trigger which several factors can cause. On the other hand, anxiety is a state of constant or persistent worry that doesn’t go away even if what triggered it is no longer there.
The signs of anxiety and stress are similar, and it may require a professional diagnosis to differentiate the two. However, some people may be able to tell the difference between the two. If you are always feeling anxiety to the point that it’s affecting your everyday life or mood, then it’s time to seek professional help.
Extreme Emotions Due To Mania
Mania is characterized by abnormally elevated mood, intense energy, racing thoughts, paranoia, irritability, and rapid speech. Hallucinations and delusions can also occur during manic episodes, during which an individual will lose touch with reality.
Many people tend to experience manic episodes for a week or more. Sometimes, a person will alternate between manic episodes and periods of depression. At one point, the individual will feel an abnormally elevated mood and other symptoms of mania. The next moment, the individual feels intense sadness, fatigue, and hopelessness.
If you or someone you know suffers from extreme emotions due to mania, it’s definitely time to seek professional help. Intervention may range from lifestyle modifications to individual or group therapy, medications, or a combination of two or all of the aforementioned.