When It’s Time to See a Mental Health Professional

Could You Benefit from Mental Health Support?

Recognizing the need for mental health support or treatment can be tricky. That ‘off’ feeling can be just a bad day, or it can be something more serious.

Let’s take a look at some common emotional, behavioral and physical signs that could be pointing to a mental health condition.

Emotional Signs

If you have a mental health condition, you will probably notice changes to your emotional wellbeing first. These could include:

• Reduced interest and enjoyment: Everyone experiences fear, sadness, worry and anger from time to time. This is a normal and healthy part of being human. But if emotional changes include losing interest in things that used to feel enjoyable, there may be an issue worth addressing.
• Mood swings: It’s normal to experience both positive and negative emotions in a given day, but if you’re finding yourself regularly swinging from the highest highs to the lowest lows, you could benefit from meeting with a mental health professional.
• Difficulty managing stress or anxiety: Stress is a normal part of life, but if you notice you’re struggling more to keep your stress levels in check, you should consider speaking to a professional. Excessive irritability or anger are related symptoms worth noting.

If you’re experiencing emotional difficulty but aren’t sure if you should be concerned, talk to a mental health professional.

Behavioral Signs

Mental health conditions may manifest in your emotional state first, but they don’t typically stay there. You may also notice changes in your behavior, including:

• Unusual sleep disturbances: Occasional sleeplessness is normal, but mental health struggles could lead to over- or under-sleeping. A related sign is noticing you no longer have enough energy to complete your normal daily activities.
• Substance overuse or dependence: Those struggling with a mental health condition may turn to substances to cope. If you notice you’re using drugs, alcohol or other substances more frequently, or you are under/overeating, it may be worth seeking professional help.
• Social withdrawal: Canceling plans, avoiding friends and disengaging from social activities could be signs of mental health difficulty. More severe are emotional outbursts, frequent arguing and strained relationships, including those that are normally healthy and stable.

If you notice these symptoms in a loved one, it’s possible they are experiencing mental health distress. Consider starting a conversation about getting them the support they need.

Physical Signs

There’s a link between your mental and physical health, and if you have a mental health condition, there’s a good chance you’ll notice it in your body, too. You might consider seeing a mental health professional if you experience the following physical symptoms:

• Changes in weight or appetite: Weight loss or gain without a clear cause could be linked to an underlying mental health condition. Changes in appetite (including loss of appetite and increased hunger) is also a sign worth noting.
• Unexplained physical symptoms: You may experience an onset of unexplained or unusual physical ailments, including persistent stomach aches, headaches, and other aches and pains that don’t ease with normal, at-home care.

Mental health conditions are called invisible diseases for a reason: They can be hard to spot. But at the end of the day, you know when something isn't right. The above information is a guide, but if you just haven’t been feeling like yourself, consider sharing your concerns with a trusted health professional.