What Are Signs of a More Serious Mental Health Problem?

			
			

				
				
Most Americans understand that good emotional health is just as important as good physical health. But a recent American Psychological Association (APA) survey found that many people don't know when they might need help in achieving good emotional or mental health. 

Serious mental health problems, such as depression, require assistance from a health professional to be treated. 
If you do have a mental health problem, it's nothing to be ashamed of. Actually, depression and other mental health concerns are more common than you think. 

An estimated 54 million Americans suffer from some form of mental disorder in a given year, according to the National Mental Health Association. And 18 million American adults -- or about 10% of all adults – have a depressive disorder in a given year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. 

Here is a list of some feelings and behaviors that suggest you may have depression or another serious mental health problem. 

You should get help if: 
  • You frequently or continually experience extreme sadness or depression.
  • You experience severe swings in your mood – you feel extreme highs and then extreme lows.
  • You have excessive fear, worrying, or anxiety. 
  • You have strong feelings of anger.
  • You can't sleep - or you sleep too much. 
  • You are abusing alcohol or other substances.
  • Your eating habits have changed significantly (eating too much or too little).
  • You have withdrawn from social activities and friends.
  • You are having delusions or hallucinations – you are seeing and/or hearing things that aren’t really there.
  • You are finding it harder and harder to get through your daily activities and deal with problems that arise.
  • You are denying obvious problems in your life.
  • You have many unexplained physical problems.
  • You have thoughts of suicide.  If you do, you should get help immediately. 
(Sources: National Mental Health Association, “Mental Illness in the Family
Recognizing the Warning Signs & How to Cope”; and WedMD, “Mental Health Warning Signs”)