We all have to deal with mental health issues from time to time, and there’s absolutely nothing shameful about acknowledging that and reaching out for help. You do what you need to do, and sometimes, all you need is to recognize that there may be a problem going on or create a little safe space for yourself when there’s so much else going on outside. So, if you’ve been feeling off or been thinking weirdly lately, let’s go through a few of the signs that you might need to talk to someone, or make some lifestyle changes of your own.
Have You Been Sleeping and Eating?
Have you been sleeping lately? Are you always tired? And have you been eating right? Or are you just snacking, or overindulging, or even not bothering to cook yourself a meal at all?
Because all of these things can be signs that you’re going through something, and it’s important to recognize them before they do some real damage to your body. Eating and sleeping are normal behaviors everyone needs to keep up with, and if you’re having issues doing either, be sure to tell someone.
Are Your Thoughts Getting Darker or Confused?
We all have them; we all think weird or horrible things from time to time, and we all get confused a lot too! But, if these kinds of thoughts are happening to you multiple times a day, it’s a sign that you may be experiencing some mental troubles.
If you’re starting to think a lot of negative things lately, or dark images or thoughts seem to pop into your head unprompted and make you extremely uncomfortable, it might be time to talk to someone. Don’t be ashamed to tell someone about these; leaving them to only occur in your head is what makes them so powerful, and getting them out, and realizing they’re not real, helps a lot more than you may think.
Are You Feeling Isolated and Alone?
Feeling isolated, and like there’s nothing you can do to change that, is a big symptom of mental illness that no one really thinks about. People who become depressed withdraw from their social circles, and rarely find pleasure in hanging out with people anymore, and it’s key to think about this if you’ve been cancelling plans a lot lately.
It’s one of the main reasons why Intensive Outpatient Alcohol Addiction Treatment works so well. You’re surrounded by people in the same boat as you, and you’re never having to face your demons and/or treatment alone. Coming together with those who know what you’re going through, and only want the best for you, helps you to see how bad isolation is, and ensures you can break the habit of pulling away.
Realizing you may be struggling with mental health doesn’t happen at once. It happens in stages, and it can be hard to recognize these stages for what they are. Don’t be afraid to reach out if need be.
