19 Aug When is it Time to Seek Mental Health Treatment?
Mental health is a common issue in the United States. According to research completed by the National Institutes of Health, “Nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (52.9 million in 2020).”[1] With that being said, it is clear that mental health issues are widespread, affecting a large number of people daily.
Asking for help for your mental health is difficult. Sometimes it can be hard to determine whether you actually need help. Thankfully, mental health is taken extremely seriously these days, but when is it time to seek treatment?
In all honesty, everyone can use a little bit of help when it comes to their mental health. Reaching out to a psychologist or a professional mental health treatment program can help you break the cycle of anxiety, depression, or any other mental health condition you may suffer from.
Signs It’s Time for Mental Health Treatment
If you are wondering whether you should seek help for your mental health, the answer is probably yes. If you are noticing the signs of declining mental health, receiving professional help is the best way to start feeling better. A few signs that you may need mental health counseling include:
You’re Having a Hard Time Sleeping
If you are experiencing sleep issues, it could be a sign of an underlying mental health condition. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “People with inadequate sleep had nearly a threefold increased odds of frequent mental distress compared with those who had adequate sleep.”[2]
If you are having a hard time sleeping at night, it could be due to depression or anxiety. Or, if your sleep issues are related to nightmares, you could be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Either way, suffering from sleep issues can lead to an array of issues, making it important to seek professional help.
You Are Experiencing Mood Changes
While occasional mood swings are a part of everyday life, sometimes mood changes can indicate an underlying mental health problem. If you find that you are frequently experiencing shifting moods, you could be suffering from an undiagnosed mood disorder. Additionally, if your mood has recently changed from normal to down or depressed, you may be struggling with depression.
Mood changes are one of the easiest to notice signs of a mental health condition. If you suffer from frequent mood swings or have had an overall shift in mood, it’s time to seek professional help.
You’re Struggling With Excessive Fear
Have you been feeling afraid recently? Do you struggle with frequent thoughts of worry or panic? How about bodily sensations of fear and anxiety like GI upset or a racing heart?
While some instances of anxiety are normal, other times it indicates an underlying mental health condition. If you struggle with daily feelings of fear that get in the way of your everyday life, it may be time to get treatment.
If you are dealing with excessive fear, worry, or panic, you may be struggling with an anxiety disorder. Managing anxiety on your own can be difficult, which is why you should seek mental health treatment when you begin noticing the signs of excessive worry or panic.
Your Relationships are Suffering
Have you been noticing frequent issues in your relationships? Maybe you and your loved ones are fighting more often than normal, or you have started to isolate yourself from others. Either way, this is a sign of declining mental health.
Withdrawing from social activities, feeling disconnected from others, avoiding people you usually value, and feeling left out are all signs of an underlying mental health condition. If you are experiencing troubles in your relationships or isolation from others, it’s time to seek mental health treatment.
You’re Dealing With Physical Signs of Stress
Stress and anxiety can affect your body physically. While most people view anxiety as constant thoughts of worry, it reaches far beyond the mind.
Some of the physical symptoms of anxiety include:[3]
- dizziness
- tiredness
- a noticeably strong, fast, or irregular heartbeat
- muscle aches and tension
- trembling or shaking
- dry mouth
- excessive sweating
- shortness of breath
- stomach ache
- feeling sick
- headache
- pins and needles
- difficulty falling or staying asleep
If you are experiencing the above-mentioned physical signs of anxiety, you may benefit from speaking with a counselor. Anxiety is a mental health condition that can significantly impact your ability to function in your daily life.
Finding Help for Mental Health Issues
Your mental health is extremely important. If you are not feeling well mentally, it will reflect on all of your daily tasks, causing you to be unable to uphold your responsibilities. Declining mental health can have an impact on your physical health as well, so it can affect every aspect of your life.
At Florida Recovery Group, we offer a separate mental health program in Delray Beach, Florida specifically for adults 18 and older who suffer from emotional and psychiatric health issues. Our team of mental health therapists and medical professionals will evaluate, diagnose and treat the root cause with compassion and empathy. Call today to get started.
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