Listen to Your Head – Declining Mental Health Signs You Shouldn't Avoid
Mental health issues can be gauged through several factors, but it is hard to recognise for the untrained eye. However, upon closely monitoring someone's behavioural changes, one can find out the decline in the mental health status of an individual. These issues can be remedied either by a change in routine or with the help of external consultation and support.
A decline in mental health affects how people indulge in social interactions, their overall involvement in the activities they do regularly, their energy levels, etc.
The Stress-anxiety Correlation
Mental health can plummet quite quickly through stress as a factor. Stress in a healthy amount is needed for a human being to function optimally. The origin of stress roots in a living being's fight or flight response, which keeps them attentive and active.
But over time, stress has become more frequent and prevalent as evolution has made us worry about a lot more than just our lives. It is a substantial contributing factor to stress, and more often than not, this stress tends to evolve into anxiety.
Anxiety is a common occurrence in people's lives. People with chronic anxiety usually experience intense, excessive, and persistent concern and terror in ordinary settings. Recurring episodes of panic attacks frequently characterise anxiety disorders.
With proper treatment and prescribed medication, stress and anxiety can be tackled gradually. To tackle these issues, one must first detect the problematic signs.
Declining Mental Health Signs
Insomnia
Loss of sleep is among one of the most tell-tale signs of a decline in mental health. Although the amount of sleep required can vary for every individual, an outright loss of sleep or a deviation in the general sleeping pattern can cause a mental health decline. This would be kind of a chicken or egg problem, trying to figure out what comes first – Insomnia or mental health decline.
Insomnia can be triggered in people as a result of any traumatic event of the past or from general stress, and at worst, it can also be attributed to chronic diseases.
Change in Dietary Pattern
Depression and anxiety can affect how much you eat in various ways. Some people experience a lack of appetite due to stress and worry because they don't feel hungry or have the energy to eat. Others may find that eating comfort food in large quantities might bring a brief reprieve from depressing thoughts and feelings. If you discover that you are overeating or undereating to the point that your weight varies dramatically in a short period, it may be time to seek mental health assistance.
If you've observed a rapid weight increase or decrease, it's possible that your mental health is to blame. Many people use eating as a coping mechanism.
Self-esteem Related Issues
Intrusive thoughts that cause you to feel unhealthily guilty can be a sign of mental illness. You might be thinking things like "I'm a failure," "No one will ever love me," or "It's all my fault." You may even start participating in self-deprecating activities, such as always making jokes about how awful you are or continuously taking the fall. Deteriorating mental health can lead to feelings of guilt for various reasons, leading to self-deprecating humour and intrusive thoughts.
It's common to go into survival mode when you're suffering from poor mental health. This includes focusing your efforts on activities that keep you alive, such as eating, drinking water, and sleeping.
Things like hygiene are put on the back burner because you won't have the energy to deal with them. Showering, brushing teeth, and combing hair may become less frequent due to these sensations. Others may portray you as a slacker when, in truth, you simply don't have the energy to devote to these activities.
Socialisation Related Issues
While spending personal time is considered beneficial, it does not mean isolating yourself completely when you need help. It is an indication of mental health decline. Your family and friends can assist you in conquering any difficulties you are facing or, at the very least, support you while you figure out a solution on your own. Consider seeking professional assistance if you feel compelled to withdraw from any social interaction.
Mood Related Issues
While irritation is a natural emotion, persistent emotions of annoyance and anger that lead to lash outs over minor concerns can lead to mental health problems. If this happens, it's best to figure out where you've gone wrong.
Similarly, transitory feelings of grief are common when they develop as a result of everyday events. However, a continual sense of sadness might be an indication of depression, which is one of the most common signs of mental illness. Depression, as a mental health issue, can manifest itself in a variety of ways, including a loss of interest in hobbies that once piqued your attention, a decrease in energy levels, or an impending feeling of sadness. If you feel like you're about to cry, it's a sign that you're in pain, and you should get help right once.
None of these issues can fully account for a mental health decline because mental health is very subjective, i.e., it differs from person to person. If you have anxiety or depression, the severity and regularity of your symptoms are crucial factors in maintaining your mental health. However, this does not negate the importance of paying attention to such matters. More often than not, catching them in the early stages would result in greater mental health. If you feel like you cannot accomplish these by yourself, consider visiting a mental health professional for help. Also, several health insurance companies like Generali Central provide you with the financial assistance you need to treat the problem.
