5 Signs That It Is Time To Seek The Help Of A Mental Health Professional

It goes without saying that aside from your physical health, it’s also essential to prioritize your mental health. Assessment and early diagnosis are important steps to take to avoid major mental health problems such as depression and schizophrenia, which cause irreversible damage to a person’s psychological well-being.

In this post, you’ll learn the signs that should prompt you or your loved one to consult a mental health professional.

1. Prolonged Sadness or Irritability

Depression goes beyond the concept of sadness. It’s a life-threatening feeling of doom and dread that should be treated as soon as possible. If you have been experiencing prolonged sadness with thoughts that keep running and cause severe lack of sleep, then these symptoms are characteristic of depression.

Here are things to consider when you’re feeling prolonged sadness or irritability:

• Don’t be afraid to do some research and seek the services of an experienced mental health expert, such as the ones found at https://jacksonhousecares.com/.
• Don’t postpone psychological evaluation, so proper treatment, such as antidepressants, can be given accordingly.
• For your medications to be effective, make sure to follow their appropriate schedule and duration. Don’t stop taking them until otherwise prescribed by your doctor.

2. Extreme Mood Swings

Mood swings pertain to sudden changes in mood wherein extreme lows and highs can be felt almost instantaneously, without any progression in between. While everyone may experience sadness and mood swings, severe mood swings could be due to mental illnesses, like bipolar disorder. This can also be a symptom of a personality disorder or schizoaffective disorder.

Here are some of the recommended treatments for mental health illnesses:

• Pharmacological management controls symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, this rarely addresses anger symptoms.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT and other non-pharmacological management treatments can be effective in mood and anger management.

3. Excessive Fear or Anxiety

Intense fear or anxiety can make a person incapable of properly distinguishing between real-life situations and events that may not be actually happening within their environment. This is why a person loses focus and proper logical reasoning.

Anxiety disorders usually involve repeated episodes of intense anxiety and terror. Panic attacks may occur within minutes, which may interfere with a person’s daily activities. Panic attacks can be difficult to control and may pose risks not only to the patient, but also other people.

Here’s how a mental health professional can help you manage your fear and anxiety:

• An assessment will be made to determine what’s causing your fear and anxiety, in which appropriate intervention may be provided as necessary.
• A psychiatrist can prescribe anti-anxiety medications to reduce symptoms. These medications will keep you more relaxed when dealing with everyday stressors.
• Behavioral and cognitive therapy can be carried out to improve your mental health.

4. Social Withdrawal

Mental health issues may also manifest in the form of social withdrawal, wherein you or your loved one may prefer to be alone and withdraw from the presence of a crowd, or even people you know intimately like friends and family. This is why seeking help from a mental health professional is important to find out what’s causing this behavior.

5. Dramatic Changes in Sleeping or Eating Habits

Financial problems, relationship or family issues, and workplace or career concerns are just some of the many struggles people face every day. But for those suffering from dramatic changes in eating, such as constantly having a poor appetite or being unable to control their eating, the main problem could be rooted psychologically.

The same is true for a person’s sleeping habits. Oversleeping, lack of sleep, or the inability to get a restful sleep at night for more than six weeks may mean that you’re suffering from depression or any other mental health problem. This is why prompt mental health consultation is crucial to avoid symptoms from worsening.

Bonus Tips: When to See a Mental Health Professional

• Too Much and Uncontrollable Worry: You’re worrying too much, and this feeling interferes with your relationships, work, social life, and other vital parts of your life. Your worry, fear, anxiety, or panic is extremely upsetting and difficult to control.
• Substance Abuse: Along with anxiety or other mental health concerns, you also have problems with alcoholism or drug abuse. These behaviors would need different medical and psychological interventions.
• Medical Condition: You believe that your anxiety is related to a medical or physical health problem.
• Suicidal Tendencies: You have started entertaining suicidal thoughts or are showing suicidal behaviors. This symptom would warrant emergency treatment. Don’t delay because suicidal tendencies can pose risks for your life and the life of your loved ones.

Conclusion

While people normally experience sadness, mood swings, and irritability, intense symptoms can interfere with your daily routines and disrupt your family life and work. If you feel severe mood swings or prolonged sadness, withdraw yourself from society or experience unusual changes in your sleeping or eating habits, seek the help of a mental health professional today.