People have different peculiarities and weaknesses that are appealing to some but irritating to others. Therefore, if something is unique, does that mean it is not normal? Well, the word normal is perhaps one of the most subjective words in the dictionary. It’s because what’s normal to one culture can be strange to another. Same as what’s normal at age 5 can be considered very abnormal at age 30.
The term “mental illness” can be scary for some people. Unfortunately, there is a type of stigma associated with it. But did you know that mental illness is very common? In fact, nearly a fifth of the population has some form of mental disorder, such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. There are also many causes of these issues, including stress and chemical imbalances. The best way to address these issues is to have an open mind and seek psychological treatments for depression.
However, a lot of people who have mental health problems usually do not seek help because they do not have enough money, or they think that consulting a psychiatrist is expensive. If you want to know how much it costs, you can visit BetterHelp.com to learn more. Other reasons can be being embarrassed, while some are not sure who to see. However, now it is possible to see Mind Doctor online so nobody will know about it unless you tell them yourself. With this, it is very important to recognize when someone may need help. How? Well, there are a number of signs that a psychiatric evaluation might be a good idea. Here are some of them:
1. If a person is having a very difficult time coping in general or functioning in his or her day to day life
One of the most common signs that a person needs to seek help from a psychiatrist is if he or she is having difficulties in doing everyday tasks. It is important to have basic coping skills and functioning to be able to live a life without depending on others. Therefore, if a person cannot function well as he or she did before, or in a way that would be sensible to expect for their health and age, and there’s no reasonable explanation, then that can be a serious red flag.
Also, remember that some mental health conditions develop slowly, while the onset of others can be really fast. If the changes you observe in a person compared to his or her previous function is problematic, then that person needs an evaluation.
2. If a person has rapid or very obvious mood swings
Having a stable mood is part of overall good mental health. Some psychiatric disorders involve substantial mood changes. These changes can be very fast, especially with a borderline personality disorder, or they can also occur over several days or weeks, especially with bipolar disorder. A bi polar treatment might be needed if the mood swings worsen. Drug and alcohol use may also contribute to the erratic mood changes of a person. With this, a visit to a psychiatrist is very important to determine the underlying cause.
3. If a person’s sleeping pattern changes
The quality of sleep can tell a lot about the mental health of a person. People who have mental health problems usually find it difficult to sleep. They may have trouble falling asleep, they may wake up too early, or wake up many times at night. Aside from that, they also tend to spend less time in deep stages of sleep, making it difficult for them to get restorative sleep. Unfortunately, lack of sleep also makes it challenging to cope with the symptoms of mental illness. Therefore, if you or someone’s sleeping pattern changes and affects your daily life, it’s better to consult with a psychiatrist to rule out the problem.
4. If a person avoids social situations
A person with depression or excessive anxiety may tend to avoid social situations. It can be because of their inability to control emotions or difficulties relating to others. If you know someone who’s very active before when it comes to social gatherings but suddenly does not want to go out and meet with other people, it’s important to check on them as they may need to see a psychiatrist.
5. If a person feels sad, hopeless, or down most of the time
Feeling sad, hopeless, and down at all times are often red flags for depression, which is one of the most common mental health issues. Feeling sad or down occasionally is a normal part of being alive or being human. However, it is not normal for these feelings to last for long periods. If other symptoms are present with these, such as low energy, sleep disturbances, and feelings of worthlessness, then depression is a possible diagnosis. If this is left untreated, significant problems in life might arise and feed the depression more.
A lot of things can be damaged by depression, including career, marriage, and physical health. Worst, it can trigger suicidal thoughts and behaviors to some. Therefore, if you or someone you know has been suffering from sadness or hopelessness for quite a while now, it’s better to consult with a psychiatrist for help.
6. If a person worries too much or feels anxious most of the time
Irrational fear or anxiety is a common symptom of many disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, OCD, post traumatic stress disorder, phobias, and social anxiety disorder. It can be paralyzing for some, and its constant presence can wreak havoc with a person’s health over time. Aside from that, it can also interfere with sleep and other aspects of functioning.
7. If a person finds it difficult to move on from a past or recent traumatic event.
Trauma can definitely turn the life of a person upside down, and it can take a serious toll on the psyche. Most of the time, they see unwanted images and memories in their minds, leaving them with the awful sense that they are stuck and that there’s no way to heal and forget about it. If it gets worse, even little and unrelated things can trigger those memories.
If you or someone you know experienced any kind of trauma, whether it’s recent or in the past, it can come back and haunt you in different ways. It can be through nightmares,