5 Signs That Someone Might be Emotionally Troubled

We all experience changes in our mental health. Whether it is caused by stress or a life-altering event, it is normal to experience shifts in mental health. You might experience mood changes, changes in sleep or appetite, or other symptoms similar to a mental health illness. However, the difference between these changes and a full-blown mental health illness is persistence. 

One would think that since we all have had moments where we felt disconnected from ourselves and others, we, as a society, would be more accepting and aware of the importance of mental health. However, it is not always the case. 

Despite the subtle stigma, psychologists and researchers agree that mental health illnesses are more complex than their outward presentations. Most mental illnesses typically have multiple causes– like genetic, environmental, biological– and manifestations. 

Below, are five signs that your mental state might be shifting. 

Before I continue, I would like to clarify that this article is not meant to be used as a diagnostic nor is meant to instill anxiety. The purpose of this article is to, hopefully, make you aware of some of the physical signs that signal a change in your emotional landscape. 

–Decrease in cognitive functions

A common sign that is easily missed is a decrease in cognitive function. Cognitive functioning includes reasoning, thinking, remembering, learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. But, we don’t often notice a decrease in cognitive function because we usually attribute them to stress or other factors. However, persistent fogginess can be due to other factors.  

Some manifestations of decreased cognitive functions are lack of concentration, problems remembering things, and difficulty planning or organizing. 

– Apathy

Another common sign of a change in mental health is apathy. Apathy is more than a temporary lack of interest. It is a persistent lack of passion. It can cause you to feel disinterested in meeting new people or trying new things, but it can also instill indifference towards things you enjoy. 

Externally, you may not exhibit many emotions. Or, the contrary may be true. To make others worry less or avoid stigma, you may feel pressured to be more expressive. However, in the long run, apathy can put a damper on your personal relationships and performance. 

One thing I would like to address is that apathy is not depression. The two are often misinterpreted or conflated. Apathy is often a symptom of depression, but depression is characterized by hopelessness and guilt. 

If you notice that your interest diminishes, consider reaching out to a medical health professional for help. 

– Dissociation

Another sign of a declining mental state is dissociation. Dissociation takes on many forms–derealization, depersonalization, and dissociative amnesia.  

Derealization-depersonalization often feels like you are having an out-of-body experience or a feeling of being unreal. Depersonalization and derealization, as well as other forms of dissociation, occur because of severe stress. It is your body’s way of coping with a distressing event or emotion. 

To cope with these symptoms, doctors often prescribe SSRIs. But, there are also alternative forms of therapy available. For example, CBT is also a great option to discuss with a therapist. 

– Withdrawal

Social withdrawal can also be a sign of a change in your mental state. Now, I don’t want to make it seem you are obligated to attend social events. It’s fine to stay in. Your mental health always comes first. 

So, this sign is a bit subjective. If you don’t usually go out, you might think that social withdrawal is a sign of a declining mental state. For me, the surest sign is if you actively avoid meeting family or friends because you no longer feel like seeing them. 

Though social withdrawal does not seem like such an ominous sign, it can put a strain on your personal relationship. If you are having difficulties attending or joining social activities, feel free to reach out to a therapist. 

– Unusual behaviors

Mental strain or distress can cause us to behave differently or out of character. It can cause us to be more agitated, engage in risky activities, or behave erratically. 

There is no treatment, per se, for unusual behavior. But, the best course of action is to figure out the cause of the behavioral changes. You could try journaling, but the best resource is a therapist. Reach out to them if you ever need help.

– Mood changes

Lastly, one of the most common signs that you might be experiencing mental health instability is mood swings. There will be moments when your emotions might get the best of you, but usually, it is easy to bounce back and regroup. However, when you are slipping into a compromised emotional state or a mental health crisis, you may find it difficult to bounce back.You may feel more sensitive, irritable, or critical.

 Although your emotional and mental state are not the only things that affect your mood, persistant and drastic changes can point to emotional dysregulation. Emotionall dysregulation can cause more stress, trouble sleeping, strain you personal relationships, and worsen depression. 

If you notice that you are having trouble handling you emotional response to events, consider taking to a therapist about DBT (dialectical behavioral therpay) or CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) as both therapies help you become more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. 

 For a long time, I hesitated to say mental illness because the word illness always seemed permanent and irreversible. Thankfully, in most cases, it’s not. It can bre treated and managed. 

I hope that this article has helped you and has encouraged to seek hep if you need it. 

Take care!

Sources:

Fisher, G. G., Chacon, M., & Chaffee, D. S. (2019, January 11). Theories of Cognitive Aging and Work. Work Across the Lifespan. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128127568000025. 

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019, June 8). Mental illness. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/symptoms-causes/syc-20374968. 

Parekh, R. (2018, July). Warning Signs of Mental Illness. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/warning-signs-of-mental-illness. 

Wolff, C. (2018, April 25). 7 Signs Someone Might Be Emotionally Unstable. Bustle. https://www.bustle.com/p/7-signs-someone-might-be-emotionally-unstable-8890589.