Feel Something Is Off? Here Are All The Signs Of A Declining Mental Health

While physically falling ill and having symptoms of any sort of illness is considered a major reason to leave everything and just prioritise one's health, one can't still say the same for mental health. The reason mental health is not considered a big deal (even though it is getting quite a bit of attention now) can also be because the symptoms are not really visible to the naked eye.

While people can easily detect a fever, stomach ache, or something much bigger, seeing the signs and symptoms of a decline in one's mental health gets a little more difficult. It is difficult to see not only for a doctor, but also for the person who is dealing with it.

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Regulating your feelings, thoughts, and behaviours is a general definition of mental health. There is no typical way of measuring what should be normal for one person and what is normal for another. While there are no obvious signs that one's mental health is deteriorating, one can examine their own patterns and behaviours to recognise when they require assistance.

Dr. Shambhavi Jaiman, consultant psychiatrist at the Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurugram, has discussed several signs of declining mental health.

Changes in behaviour and mood

Let us assume that a person who is generally in a happy mood has started getting really irritated over small things. This can be a major sign. A person who notices a change in their overall mood where it is consistently low may need to keep an eye on things. Other than that, you should also notice the pattern when a person who is generally patient or does not get angry easily starts to lose patience and gets annoyed easily. These people can also be more emotional than usual over small matters or just generally.

Difficulty completing daily tasks

Completing day-to-day activities or tasks that were previously simple for you become more difficult. This can include personal or professional activities. Simple activities like waking up, getting out of bed, and making yourself breakfast can become difficult, or you can just lose interest. Professional work like going to the office or completing regular tasks assigned to you can also become difficult.

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A decline in general interests

It is okay to be lazy and lose interest in doing things. However, if you routinely find less happiness and enjoyment in activities that you used to love, it could be a sign that something¡¯s not quite right. Let's take an example: if you are someone who liked photography and generally liked taking pictures, but now you don't feel the urge to do that regularly, this could be bad. Losing interest in your hobbies¡ªlet us just say that you enjoyed dancing, singing, or playing an instrument but don't do it anymore¡ªis a problem.

Disrupted sleep

If you are continuously having trouble with your sleep, this can be a sure-shot sign of declining mental health. This can either be that you cannot sleep easily, that you keep waking up and can't go back to sleep, or that you are not able to get full rest. If you are frequently oversleeping as well, this could be a sign too. So, if you're tired or have had a long night of partying, that's one thing, but if sleeping normally is a problem, you should keep an eye on it.

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Change in appetite

A person's appetite changes when their mental health deteriorates or they are suffering from depression or anxiety. Some people can completely lose the energy to eat anything or feel hungry. For others, it can be the complete opposite; food can be their way of coping with things, and they can end up binge eating. If you notice yourself overeating or undereating to the point where you notice dramatic changes in your weight in a short period of time, it's time to take action.

Low energy

A decline in mental health can lead you to feel low on energy both mentally and physically. Despite having proper food or sleeping well, you can feel fatigued and tired all the time. This can also make you feel sluggish, and this can make you lose concentration as well. However, if the energy is so low that you end up being in bed all the time or can't find the motivation to just get up, then you should keep a note.

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What are the things you can do to improve your mental health?

Even if you see the signs of declining mental health, it does not mean that you may have a mental health disorder. There are still various things one can do to improve their mental health significantly.

Exercise and stay active

Regular exercise or staying active can have a significant impact on both your physical and mental health. Simply going for a walk, doing some cardio, or doing any type of physical exercise on a daily basis can help you regulate your mood, relieve stress, and sleep better.

Drinking lots of water

We have all known that water is the cure for everything. Drinking at least 2-3 litres of water can improve your mood and eliminate excess toxins and caffeine present in your body. It is also great for the skin. So, it is a win-win.

Practice meditation

Meditation and mindfulness are great ways to relax one's senses, both physically and mentally. When under stress, meditation can calm your senses and make you think from a more patient perspective. Regular practise of mindfulness can also bring a considerable change in attitude if you get agitated or impatient easily.

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Try interacting with people as much as possible

While phone calls and social media have made things easier, connecting with someone face-to-face is actually cathartic. Going for a drink or just meeting friends and family can energise you and make you feel good. After all, humans are social animals.

Talk to a trustworthy person or a therapist

Talking about how you are feeling and how low things are getting for you can be really helpful. If you have someone who can hear you out without judgment, then that is great. But if you think you need more professional help, then taking therapy is the best way to go about it.

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It is never too late to try.