Mental health problems are becoming more common around the world, and yet people in general have a surprisingly low understanding of how things work. Not only is there a lack of solid data to support various causes and factors that could lead to any type of mental illness, it is also difficult to identify symptoms that could be indicative of such problems.
Another factor that is one of the main reasons for the low understanding is the fact that there is still a stigma around mental health problems. People are afraid to admit that they or someone close to them might have mental health problems, as it is often seen in society as something to be ashamed of. A person with any kind of such problems is often thoughtlessly labeled as “crazy” or “insane”, and is simply shunned by society.
It is very important that people are provided with proper education and sensitivity training on mental health problems, as it is much more common than one might realize, with about one in seven adults dealing with it worldwide. That means that between 11 and 18 percent of adults have a mental or substance use disorder.
Although there are different symptoms that can be seen for different mental health disorders, there are usually some common warning signs that begin to manifest before a person is fully swamped.
Discussed below are some common signs that could indicate some problems with mental well-being.
Lack of energy
A constant state of fatigue is often associated with the development of mental health problems in an individual, especially if it marks an abrupt change from the person’s usual state of activity. Lack of energy, especially after the person has apparently had enough rest, may be due to an underlying problem such as depression, anxiety, or even bipolar disorder. Depression and anxiety can lead to irregular sleep patterns, which in turn can make a person feel exhausted. A characteristic sign of depression is also a clear lack of motivation to carry out any type of activity, be it going to work or going out with friends. Anxiety can keep the brain in a constant “fight or flight” state, which depletes energy.
Withdraw from society
A refutation of various social ties, especially with people very close to the person in question, can be a sign of some mental disorder such as depression and anxiety. People are inherently social animals, although some people prefer to have a large number of people around them and some people prefer a small number of confidants. However, a support system is essential for overall well-being. If a person begins to cut ties with people they care about or simply withdraws from social gatherings, it could be a sign that something is wrong. Depression can make a person too exhausted to socialize, or anxiety can cause a severe reaction in which a person becomes unable to leave their home for a number of reasons.
extreme mood swings
Mood swings throughout the day are common for people. You don’t necessarily go to bed experiencing the same emotions you had when you woke up. Many factors can cause a change in a person’s mood and emotions. However, it becomes a cause for concern if the emotions displayed are out of proportion to the events around them, or if they are highly random or sudden. If a person’s mood or behavior changes become unpredictable and remain the same over a long period of time, it could be an indication of mental stress. Problems like bipolar disorder, major depressive disorders, and certain bipolar disorders can be associated with sudden mood swings.
Anger and anxiety are also very common indications of mental health problems. Although it is common to have situational anxiety about certain things, some people can become anxious to the point that there are debilitating physical symptoms such as rapid heart rate, nausea, vomiting, severe chills, inability to breathe, etc. Extreme anger that seems out of control can be the result of some personality disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Depression can also cause irritability.
Substance abuse
Substance abuse is often the result of some underlying mental health problem. Many mental health problems cause people to turn to mood-altering substances, such as alcohol and drugs. Some of these conditions associated with substance abuse include depression, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and borderline personality disorder.
Mood-altering substances, such as alcohol and drugs, are often taken as a way to manage symptoms of various mental health-related issues. As mentioned above, there is a stigma associated with mental health problems, which is why people often prefer to self-medicate with substances than to see a qualified professional. However, since these substances are often highly addictive, they often end up completely dependent on them. Since the stigma surrounding addicts is also very high, they have to suffer even more in this way.
Thoughts of physical harm to themselves or others.
This is a particularly troublesome symptom, as it has the potential to be physically dangerous not only for the person in question, but also for the people around them.
This can also be said to be an advanced state of several other mood related issues discussed above. Extreme lethargy and a sense of disconnection can cause people to self-harm, as can extreme anger. Violent outbursts or irritability can cause people to harm those around them.
Extreme paranoia is also one of the reasons many people with mental health problems become violent. Since paranoia can make people think that they are being targeted or attacked, they may start to suspect everyone and everything as an enemy trying to hurt them and others as a means of self-defense. Paranoia can also escalate into delusions, which can cause the person to question their own reality. It is one of the most extreme symptoms and often associated with schizophrenia. This is also what most people think of when they hear about mental illness.
Factors that can cause mental health problems
There are several possible factors that could cause mental health problems in adults. However, it is not always possible to determine the trigger of these problems.
- childhood trauma– abuse, neglect, exploitation or physical harm
- social disadvantage- isolationpoverty, debt, discrimination caused by castism, racism, etc.
- Intense grief: loss of someone close, unemployment, divorce, etc.
- Having a long-term physical condition or caring for someone with health problems.
- Substance abuse
- Abuse as an adult: bullying, domestic violence, etc.
- Serious, life-threatening trauma, such as being in the military or a dangerous accident
- Physical causes such as head injury or neurological conditions such as epilepsy
- lifestyle factors such as work, diet, drugs, sleep pattern, etc.
- Genetic factors
- Chemical imbalance in the brain due to various factors
It is important to remember that mental health problems are a problem like any other illness for which one might visit the doctor. The stigma that surrounds it must be eradicated and that is only possible through education. Signs of mental health problems always appear early on and never appear out of the blue, so it’s important to be on the lookout for any early warning signs. Early intervention is the best way to manage mental health and related problems.
