WARNING SIGNS OF POOR MENTAL HEALTH

It is very important for us to know that mental illness is as common as physical illness nowadays. Most of us believe that mental health conditions are rare, but this is not the truth. 1 in 4 people have mental illness at some point in their lives. Many of us are not at all ready to accept the fact that someone close to us can also suffer from some mental issues. But once we get free from our prejudices and think that we or anyone close to us is having any mental or emotional problem then it is worth to acknowledge ourselves that there is always a hopeand a solution to every problem.

A poor mental health generally affects your thinking, emotions and behaviours. In today’s life which is full of stress, all of us have some kind of mental health problems which is not uncommon.

Mental illnesses can manifest themselves in a number of ways like unexpected changes in your mood such as feeling more sad or worried than normal. It may be in the form when you are not being able to think clearly or unable to not communicate with someone who is talking to you etc. Poor mental health may be associated with excessive stress due to a particular situation or series of events.

Following are some of the warning signs of poor mental health, that you should make note of:

1. Altered sleep and appetite: Excess or less sleep or hunger may be due to decline in your personal care.

1. Frequent mood swings: Sudden, rapid or dramatic shifts in emotions or depressed feelings may be a matter of concern.
2. Social & activity withdrawal: Abrupt social withdrawal and loss of interest in activities which you previously used to enjoy is a strong indication towards a bad mental health.
3. Quit: Not able to perform at school, work or quitting sports, difficulty in performing your regular and familiar tasks without any reason.
4. Poor concentration:One more prominent sign can be difficult concentration, poor memory or speech and thinking that are hard to explain.
5. High sensitivity: Increased sensitivity to one or all the senses such as sound, sight, touch or smellor absolute avoidance of over-stimulating situations can be there.
6. Indifference: Loss of initiative or desire to talk to people or participate in any activity.
7. Derealisation or disconnected: Feeling of being disconnected from you or your surroundings or a sense of detached from reality.
8. Nervousness: Fear, anxiety, suspiciousnessor nervous feeling for no reason. The person may burst into tears or have outbursts of anger.
9. Strange or unusual behaviour: Weird or peculiar behaviour that is not equivalent to the situation.

Well, 1 or 2 of these symptoms alone can’t predict a poor mental health. But definitely they indicate a need for further evaluation. If you are experiencing many of these at a time and they are causing serious problems in your ability to work, then there are many ways you can cope up with them such as accepting your feelings, establishing a support network with your family and friends, seeking counselling from a professional, taking out time for yourself and introspect into yourself.

It is important to be aware of the warning signs mentioned above. You should remember that there is always a hope for recovery and with a proper treatment & counselling, many people with poor mental health return to a positive and productive life.