Have you ever wondered is you might have a mental disorder that would improve with psychotherapy? It’s not an unreasonable question. After all, about one in five people in the U.S. have a mental illness.
But how can you know when you aren’t an expert and there are so many different mental disorders, each with its own symptoms? Before you try to narrow it down, consider the following signs that often point to the possibility of a mental health issue.
A Change in Your Habits
Any change in habits can be a cause for concern, especially if it’s a change you didn’t make intentionally. But the most worrisome are changes in sleep and appetite as well as a decline in your attention to personal hygiene and self-care. These symptoms crop up in depression and bipolar disorder, as well as many other mental illnesses.
Feeling Nervous
Nervousness can be a part of several different types of mental disorders. Persistent, unfounded suspicion of other people can occasionally be an early sign of a psychotic disorder, but nervousness is far more often linked to stress or anxiety, and only a professional can tell the difference. On the other hand, if you have intense anxiety attacks, you might have panic disorder.
You can learn more about this mental disorder at https://www.mind-diagnostics.org/blog/panic-disorder and even take a screening test to see if it fits your symptoms.
Mood Issues
If your mood seems to be bouncing around constantly or suddenly goes through the roof, it’s probably time to seek help from a psychotherapist.
Or if you have a sad or depressed mood, it might be more than a simple case of the blues. It’s normal to have changes in your mood, but when they’re dramatic, sudden, or debilitating, it’s usually a sign of mental problems.
Social Withdrawal
Do you find yourself pulling away from family and friends? There’s nothing wrong with spending some time alone. In fact, it’s healthy to spend some time in solitude and self-reflection from time to time.
However, when you never feel like you want to be with other people, that’s a sign you need to evaluate the cause. Talking to a mental health counselor is a good way to discover if you have a mental disorder you need to address so that you enjoy other people’s company again.
Changes with Your Thinking
The first thing most people think of when asked about signs of mental illness is the way someone thinks. And although there are several other signs of mental disorders, they can certainly affect the way you think. You might have trouble concentrating, remembering, or thinking logically.
You might even engage in magical thinking in the same way a small child would. What’s more, your disordered thinking might show up in your speech and your behavior. If you decide to see a mental health professional, their observations can prove invaluable in determining whether you do have a mental disorder.
Feeling Hypersensitive
Some mental illnesses can increase your sensitivity. Suddenly, you’re hypersensitive to the things you see, hear, smell, or touch.
The world begins to feel overwhelming, and you start avoiding situations that might be overstimulating to your senses. If this happens to you, it can be extremely frightening and exhausting. Seeking help is the best way to deal with this type of oversensitivity.
Loss of Interest
Probably everyone has experienced the blahs at some time in their lives. Maybe Monday mornings are a struggle to care or a long stretch of bad weather gives you the blues. However, if your apathy continues unabated, it’s worth considering that you may need mental health help.
Anhedonia, or a loss of pleasure, is a warning sign of major depression. Loss of interest can also be a sign of other mental disorders, such as schizophrenia. If you find it hard to take initiative or engage in your usual activities, consider seeking help from a psychotherapist.
Problems with Daily Functioning
Look for red flags in your daily functioning at work, at home, or at school. If you suddenly quit your extracurricular activities at school, start consistently failing to complete your usual tasks at work, or can’t seem to take care of your responsibilities at home, it could be a sign that your mental health is suffering.
For many people, these types of problems are the ones that prompt them to seek help. After all, if you can’t do the most important things to keep your life moving along, you could lose your job, fail out of school, or even lose your home. So, if you can function well, don’t delay. Get the help you need now.
The good news is that if you do have a mental disorder, a therapist can help you find out what it is and offer treatments. With the right help, you can improve your mental health and get your life back on the right track.
