Signs You Should Visit a Psychiatric Clinic
Almost everyone will struggle with mild depression or anxiety at some point in their lives, but when mental health struggles affect your daily well-being, it may be time to seek expert treatment. When you or someone you love is struggling with mental health, it can be challenging to know if it’s gotten to the point where you need more than self-care. Early intervention is the key to success when dealing with mental health issues, as ignoring them can lead to worsening symptoms. The following symptoms shouldn’t be ignored and may require treatment from a mental health professional.
Major Depression
While feeling down is normal, continued depression is not. Depression is a mood disorder that lasts more than two weeks, accompanied by a lack of interest in your everyday activities and hobbies. Experiencing feelings of worthlessness, personality changes, or a change in appetite may also be signs of a major depressive episode that requires professional care. Depression can range from mild to severe, but even those with the mildest depression can benefit from treatment.
Suicidal Thoughts
Even the vaguest thoughts of self-harm or suicide are too dangerous to ignore. For some people, these thoughts may come with no intention of following through on them, but they still are signs that treatment is needed. If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts and feel like you might act on them, it is time to seek immediate care.
Lack of Attention to Personal Care
When you are struggling with your mental health, simple daily tasks like showering, laundry, or brushing your teeth can feel like too much of a challenge. Being overwhelmed by simple daily tasks can be a sign of worsening mental health. While it might be okay to have cereal for dinner now and then, it may be time to talk to someone if making a nutritious meal constantly feels overwhelming.
Severe Mood Swings
Mood swings can happen to anyone, especially teens, but when they affect your daily life, they become a concern. Intense and prolonged mood swings can be a sign of bipolar disorder and should be taken seriously. In these cases, the person experiencing the mood swings may be distressed about the changes in their mood as they shift unpredictably from low, depressive states to phases of manic, elevated mood. While these periods of elevated mood may not feel like a problem, they can lead to difficulty managing impulses and increased participation in risky behaviors that put you or others in danger.
Psychotic Episodes
These episodes occur when your thoughts make recognizing the differences between reality and your perceptions difficult. While a psychotic episode can present differently from patient to patient, the main symptoms include hearing sounds that aren’t there, hallucinations, delusions, and disturbed thoughts. While it can be challenging for a patient experiencing these symptoms to recognize them, they are signs that may indicate a psychotic disorder.
Self-harm or Other Violent Urges
Self-harm includes cutting, burning, or injuring yourself in any way. These actions are often a way of managing stress or coping with overwhelming emotional pain. Because self-harm provides some people with a short-term sense of relief, self-harm is frequently repeated. While many people who engage in self-harm are not suicidal, they may harm themselves more than intended. Seeking treatment is suggested for anyone participating in self-harm regardless of the severity.
Agitation and Paranoia
Agitation and paranoia can be symptoms of severe mental health disorders such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Agitation can present as restlessness and mild irritability, or it can present as severe aggression. Those experiencing paranoia may feel as if people are plotting against them or planning to hurt them. These concerns feel natural to the person experiencing them and are out of their control. If either agitation or paranoia causes violent thoughts or actions, it is essential to seek treatment to prevent you from harming yourself or others.
What Happens If Mental Health Issues Go Untreated?
Some mental health issues can be handled on your own. Sometimes, lifestyle changes like focusing on better nutrition, getting enough sleep, and stress management can be enough to improve your quality of life. In other cases, lack of treatment can severely impede your day-to-day life. When left untreated, severe mental health issues can lead to difficulty maintaining relationships, substance abuse issues, sleep issues, and poor job performance. Mental health is just as important as physical health; ignoring symptoms can lead to more debilitating issues.
Trust the Leading Psychiatrists and Mental Health Therapist in San Jose, CA, or Los Gatos, CA
At Lumos Psychiatry, we know how important your mental health is. If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the symptoms above, it’s time to consider seeking mental health treatment. We offer a wide variety of services specializing in the treatment of depression, anxiety, bipolar, and other mental health issues. Book an appointment online for treatment in California.