5 Signs You Should Talk To A Mental Health Expert Today
Widely disregarded and considered taboo for the longest of times, mental health is now gaining importance as one of the most critical components of well-being. Gone are the days when you used to think twice before going to a therapist or opening up about the unspoken mental struggles to an ally. We now live in an age where conversations about a healthy mental state are encouraged, and taboo around it is discouraged.
But, quite often, what we feel contradicts what we say out loud. No matter how much we try to normalize going for a therapist or doctor consultation, the fear of being outcast as ‘psycho’ or ‘crazy’ is still deeply rooted in our minds. Let’s first understand that seeing a therapist is something we should practise often to make sense of our feelings and figure out ways to manage them effectively.
Is It High Time To Consult A Mental Health Expert?
So, how do you know it’s time to take that first step towards finding clarity in your emotions? Here are five signs that you should talk to a mental health expert today:
Your Emotions Feel Too Overwhelming (In A Bad Way):
It is absolutely natural to feel a little overwhelmed at times. Occasionally feeling anxious, uneasy or even sad is a part and parcel of life. But, feeling sad for a prolonged period of time with no clear reason behind it is when the concern rises. If feelings of being constantly overwhelmed tend to persist for a longer period of time, then it is time to book a consultation with a trusted and experienced therapist ASAP. If you are a bit uncomfortable visiting someone in person for the first time, you could always use a trusted doctor app like Healthsy to book your virtual doctor consultations.
Unusual Social Withdrawal:
Have you noticed yourself isolating in your bedroom? Do you constantly feel drained of social energy and lose interest in your favourite hobbies? If you cannot explain the reason behind your unusual social withdrawal, then it is time to visit a therapist and figure out the reason. If you have reached a stage where you prefer loneliness over building connections, then it’s time that you should explore why you feel this way.
Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms:
We all have unique coping mechanisms that make us feel relieved or at ease at times of mental distress. Having a coping mechanism is not a problem, but having an unhealthy coping mechanism could turn out to be a huge problem if not investigated right away. Keep an eye out for anything that has gone ‘extra’ in recent days. Overeating, overindulging in screen time to avoid your feelings, or even overworking to escape how you are actually feeling, could be considered unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Book an online doctors appointment immediately if you notice such persistent behaviour in your day-to-day life. You can make use of trusted healthcare services apps like Healthsy or even others to book an online consultation right from the comfort of your home (in case you do not wish to step out).
Significant Change In Sleeping Patterns And Appetite:
Sudden loss of sleep or feeling extra sleepy all the time could be a sign of declining mental well-being. Losing sleep could indicate that you are spending an excessive amount of time overthinking something, and feeling extra sleepy or sleeping most of the time during the day could indicate that you are considering sleep as your favourite form of escapism. Mental health struggles have a tendency to have the most impact on your physical health.
If you notice a sudden increase or decrease in your weight or even your appetite, you should get this checked right away. It could be an underlying health condition that might need your immediate attention. Delaying a doctor consultation can only lead to a worse and more uncontrollable situation.
If you are unsure about finding a good psychologist or a mental health expert, then you should make use of healthcare service platforms such as Healthsy, with which you can either book in-clinic doctor consultations or online appointments. Such platforms offer you a list of experienced and specialised doctors for you to choose the most suitable one.
Suicidal Thoughts Or Signs Of Self-Harm:
If you frequently find yourself thinking about self-harming or actually committing even the tiniest form of self-harm just to control your overwhelming emotions, then you need to consult a psychiatrist right away. Suicidal or self-harm thoughts are always clear indicators to ask for help. Hurting oneself, physically or emotionally, is never a good way to get out of mental distress. Instead, addressing your mental distress by booking a doctor consultation and investigating the cause behind your self-harm thoughts is the correct way to go ahead with such situations.
If you or someone you know is facing any of the above symptoms, then it is of utmost importance that they visit a therapist immediately. Recognising the signs that our body is giving in times of emotional stress is essential. Consistent negative feelings, suicidal thoughts, unusual symptoms of social withdrawal and more such signs all indicate getting help from a psychiatrist as soon as possible.
We can only conquer this emotional breakdown by knowing it well and researching the major causes of this emotional breakdown. This is possible in a healthy and safe environment controlled by licensed professionals who can educate a person in the right direction.
Conclusion:
Always remember that asking for help is never a sign of weakness. It is a sign of courage and strength to discuss something that is troubling you silently. It might be extremely difficult at first, but it is always the correct decision to work on oneself by asking for help. Mental health is as important as physical health, and just as you immediately visit a doctor for persistent fever, you must also visit a mental health professional for any such symptom that feels like an obstacle in your daily routine. It’s okay (in fact, smart) to see someone at the earliest at times when your emotional wellbeing seems even the tiniest bit off.
