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Warning signs of mental health problems

Sometimes it may feel as if life isn’t making any sense.  You may feel stuck or confused, lost or powerless and disengaged from yourself or those around you.  You may find that you are constantly going over and over the same thing and it feels really hard to get out of the cycle you are caught in.

But it isn’t always easy to identify when you have a problem and need help and it’s often loved ones who notice changes in your behaviour before you do. There are many symptoms which may indicate you have a problem and if you are experiencing any of the following I would encourage you to seek help, either by talking to your GP or a Counsellor.

  • Feeling sad, anxious or panicky, angry or frustrated, hopeless, restless and agitated or disconnected from surroundings and self
  • Feeling tearful, wanting to cry all the time
  • Having suicidal thoughts or thoughts about harming yourself
  • Having intrusive thoughts
  • Excessive fear, worry or anxiety
  • Mood swings
  • Having low confidence or self-esteem
  • Not getting any enjoyment out of life
  • Finding it hard to cope with everyday things and tasks
  • Problems in concentration, logical thought, memory and speech
  • Not wanting to talk to or be with people
  • Not wanting to do things you usually enjoy
  • Eating too much or too little
  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Decline in Personal Care
  • Increased sensitivities
  • Unusual and odd behaviour
  • Using alcohol or drugs to cope with feelings
  • Experiencing ‘burn out’

(NHS, UN, Samaritans)

man with head in hands - problems

Mental health issues are nothing to be ashamed of, they are very common. 1 in 4 people will suffer with mental health problems and in any given week in England:

  • 8 in 100 people suffer with mixed anxiety and depression
  • 6 in 100 people suffer with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
  • 4 in 100 people suffer with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • 3 in 100 people suffer with depression
  • 3 in 100 people suffer with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD)
  • 2 in 100 people suffer with phobias
  • 2 in 100 people suffer with borderline personality disorder (BPD)
  • 2 in 100 people suffer with bipolar disorder
  • 1 in 100 people suffer with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • 1 in 5 people have suicidal thoughts
  • 1 in 14 people self-harm
  • 1 in 15 people attempt suicide.

(mind.org.uk)

So please do reach out if you are struggling. There is help available.