To some degree, the internet and modern media have glamorized mental health issues such as depression and chronic stress. They can make it seem like everyone is dealing with it and everyone can manage it on their own which, simply put, is reckless. If you feel like you’re having a tough time, how do you know when it’s time to act for help?
You’ve dealt with a loss recently
It’s not the only cause of mental health problems but loss and grief are known to cause mental health issues to develop and to exacerbate them where they might already be.
Not everyone needs therapy to help them get over a loss, but there are a few times where it can be needed more. Losing someone or something that’s important to you can be one of the hardest times of your life, so don’t have any shame about admitting that you could use some help to deal with it.
Using unhealthy coping mechanics
From food to alcohol, sex to drugs, when you have to consistently look outside of yourself to habits that help you get in control of your emotions, especially those that can end up doing a lot more harm than good, it’s important to change the ways that you cope.
Of course, this can be difficult to do alone, so professional services like the Renaissance Ranch Ogden Addiction Treatment Center may be an option worth considering. Identifying addiction is the first and hardest step to recovery, so take that as the momentum you need to ask for help to deal with it.
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You’re losing the joy of the things that you love
When dealing with chronic stress, depression, or anxiety, we can start to feel “not ourselves.” The person we feel like can be pretty alien to the person we know we are.
One of the surest signs of serious emotional health trouble is that you’ve stopped doing the things that you enjoy, because you no longer enjoy them or perhaps you want to avoid being around people, either new or close friends. It is possible to reconnect with your passions, as shown at What’s Your Grief, but it can take some help to get to that stage.
You’re sleeping and generally low energy
Perhaps you’ve simply been run off your feet, lately. Perhaps you’ve been staying up late with work or other responsibilities. However, if you’re feeling consistently sleepy, spending more and more time in bed, and don’t have the energy to engage with life on a regular basis, it could be a sign of something that needs a little closer examination.
Sleepiness and low energy are considered a couple of the symptoms of depression. If you’re feeling that alongside a general down mood, it could be worth having it checked out.
Simply put, if you feel the urge to ask for help, that’s all the indication you need. The signs above show that you could’ve asked before now. Don’t hold back and don’t feel like you need to wait for a sign, however.