The term “mental illness” is intimidating to some persons, and there is, sadly, a stigma linked to it. Nevertheless, mental health issues are extremely prevalent, affecting millions in the U.S. These concerns stem from a wide range of concerns, ranging from chemical imbalances to lifestyle factors like stress. Luckily, a psychiatric assessment could help diagnose the cause of such concerns and define a care plan. Unfortunately, the signs that you should see aNew York director of clinical strategy and psychiatrist are not always clear-cut as physical issues. Here are the warning signs to watch out for.
Problems Regulating Emotions
Everybody experiences anger, irritability, sadness, or other negative emotions from time to time, which is completely normal. However, you should consider talking to a psychiatrist if you have extreme emotions that you have difficulties managing or controlling. Discovering ways to regulate these emotions efficiently could help keep a situation from spiraling out of control.
Variations in Sleep Habits
Sleep quality highlights much regarding one’s mental well-being. Persons with mental health issues frequently have trouble sleeping. For instance, one might have difficulty going to sleep, awakening too early, or awakening several times during the night. Moreover, patients are also likely to spend less time in the deep sleep stages, rendering it hard for them to enjoy a good night’s sleep. Sadly, sleep deprivation also complicates the process of trying to deal with mental illness concerns, generating a persistent negative feedback mechanism.
Substance Addiction
Individuals with mental health problems often resort to alcohol, cigarettes, and even hard drugs. Most addicts claim that their preferred drugs help them manage stress or relax their thoughts. Whatever the case, substance addiction is a warning sign that you might have a mental health issue worth specialist care.
If you notice that your teen or adolescent has suffered a drastic shift in academic performance or starts missing classes often, you should consider a psychiatric evaluation. This assessment also applies to adults who start missing deadlines or experience difficulties focusing on their job responsibilities.
Social Withdrawal
Persons dealing with anxiety or depression tend to withdraw socially. This withdrawal could be attributed to problems interacting with others or emotional imbalances. If you notice that your loved one is withdrawing from gatherings, and other social activities, it is a sign they should consider psychiatric care.
Undiagnosed Physical Issues
Your physical and mental health is intertwined. As such, one typical indication that you should talk to a psychiatrist is recurrent, unexplained physical issues. These concerns can range from anything as trivial as headaches, and stomach discomfort to fatigue.
Extreme Worry, Anxiety, or Gloominess
You should talk to a psychiatrist if you feel excessively anxious, gloomy, or worried. Left untreated, these negative emotions can often lead to suicidal thoughts.
Angry Outbursts or Recurring Nightmares
Two sure-fire indications that your kid needs psychiatric care are angry outbursts and/or recurring nightmares. Unlike adults, children find difficulties expressing their feelings, and only do so through such behaviors.
Seeking assistance for mental health problems is not a cause for shame. Fortunately, for the many people that struggle with these issues, help is now easily accessible. Psychiatrists are highly skilled in diagnosing and treating various mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, behavioral disorder, and more. Based on your specific mental health issue, your physician may suggest medications, therapy, and even lifestyle adjustments help you deal with everyday stressors or triggers. Talk to your psychiatrist for an individualized care plan.
