Understanding emotions and mental states can be complex. Feelings and expressions sometimes lack clear reasons. Many individuals may be at risk of mental health issues due to facing heavy burdens.
Categorizing mental health disorders varies among individuals. For example, some may be experiencing intense sadness after recent loss, stress from unresolved work issues, or accumulated pressure from disappointing relationships. Various causes contribute to mental illness, which can also affect physical health. Recognizing whether symptoms indicate a mental health condition, whether they have just begun or persisted for some time, requires consultation with a doctor rather than self-diagnosis.
Here are 7 checklist items indicating potential mental health disorders, not just temporary emotional fluctuations, necessitating medical consultation:
- Insomnia or excessive sleep: Persistent for more than two weeks, disrupting daily life.
- Isolation: Preferring solitude, avoiding activities once enjoyed, neglecting self-care like bathing or grooming, and feeling unhappy interacting with others in family, work, or social settings.
- Unexplained physical ailments: Such as back pain, unexplained headaches, stomach discomfort, or sudden weight loss or gain, accompanied by lack of control over eating behaviors.
- Lack of concentration: Difficulty focusing on tasks, reduced ability to think and make decisions, even in everyday situations.
- Hyperactivity or restlessness: Unusually high self-confidence, having more energy than usual, talking or moving rapidly, spending money recklessly without consideration.
- Depressive symptoms: Feeling worthless, easily upset, crying frequently, viewing oneself as a burden, losing interest in once pleasurable activities, focusing on personal flaws, feeling hopeless, or having thoughts of death.
- Sudden changes in appetite: Loss of appetite leading to rapid weight loss, or increased appetite leading to rapid weight gain, with inability to control eating habits.
If one or more of these symptoms are present, or if several symptoms occur simultaneously, it is important to consider that these behaviors may not simply be emotional fluctuations or general mental states. They could indicate an imbalance of brain chemicals and require appropriate treatment, including consultation with a psychiatrist or medication. Close individuals should closely monitor abnormal behaviors and promptly seek medical attention if they suspect potential mental health issues.
