How common are mental health problems?
Mental health problems are growing more common, with at least one in five Americans struggling with mental health issues today. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other mental health disorders cross age boundaries, affecting children, teenagers, adults, and older adults in increasing numbers. If you’re struggling, you’re not alone.
When should I be concerned about my mental health?
It’s normal to experience sadness, frustration, anger, and other negative emotions occasionally, but it can sometimes be hard to know when those feelings cross the line, becoming something more serious like a mental health disorder. A few of the signs that you could be experiencing mental health issues include:
- Lack of joy in your life, including loss of interest in the things you once loved
- Nervousness that persists even when anxiety-causing situations pass
- More intense emotions than usual
- Increased crying
- Feelings of overwhelming guilt
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Emotional outbursts that you can’t control
- Unwanted appetite and weight changes
- Sleep pattern changes
- Avoiding your friends and family
- Unreasonable fear and apprehension around normally harmless things
- Lack of energy
- Periods of euphoria and high energy followed by periods of low mood
- Preoccupation with death
- Increase in risky behaviors, like alcohol and illicit drug use
Even if your mental health state isn’t affecting your daily life at this time, it’s important to recognize when it’s not improving. Reaching out for mental health care when you first notice negative changes can help you avoid months or years of overwhelming symptoms.