Know the Signs: 10 Mental health red flags every woman should know

Know the Signs: 10 Mental health ‘red flags’ every woman should watch out for

Shelina Assomull

09 Feb 2018

It’s okay to not be okay, but be honest with yourself about it. Here are some signs to look out for.

1/10
Constantly crying
If you find yourself shedding a lot of tears, or crying very easily, this is a sign you may be struggling. Crying, without really knowing why you're crying, or for a reason you know is not worth crying over, is a sign you're finding things tough.
2/10
Sleeping habits
A change in sleeping habits (whether you're sleeping too little or for too many hours on end) is often one of the earlier signs to show. Insomnia keeping you up, or struggling to leave bed? Not good.
3/10
Digestive issues
It's true that stress or anxiety can stress your insides too. When you're going through a bad patch, your body's stress response is to alter its digestive habits. Your body knows how you're feeling before you do sometimes.
4/10
Eating habits
Again this can be go from one extreme end to another. Many report a loss of appetite during stressful or emotional times, and yet some over-eat as a form of comfort. Neither is healthy.
5/10
Disinterested in hobbies
Find you can't be bothered to do the things you would normally enjoy? A lack of energy or interest in things is often a sign something's up.
6/10
Over-worrying
Obsessing over small things, and worrying about things that aren't really that important is another red flag. From how you're looking, to about what someone said in a joke last week - worrying about these minute things really increases your stress levels.
7/10
Disengaging with friends
Cutting yourself off from friends is often due to a withdrawal from people to avoid talking about how you're doing.
8/10
Change in libido
Really not feeling the love lately can also be your body's response to being down in the dumps. On the contrary, more manic disorders often cause an unusual increase in sex drive. Extremes are never good.
9/10
Anxiety in large groups
Do you get very scared or nervous of being in a large group? Paranoid they're talking about you, or perhaps conscious of what you say? This anxiety is often a sign that you're struggling to keep yourself in check.
10/10
Over-emotional
Find yourself getting very angry, very easily, or very upset for something minor. This yo-yo emotional response is your body telling you things are a little haywire.

In the rush to complete the tasks that make up our daily lives, many of us don’t take the time to stop and think, how am I doing?

Knowing when you’re not okay can be even tougher. There are few people that will admit when they are. It first comes with being honest with yourself about what’s going on in your life, but also about knowing what to look out for. There are usually some warning signs that should let you know you may need to give your mental health a little more attention.

These signs are not always true for everyone, but they are some common factors that affect those suffering with mental health issues. These issues can be anything from a slight anxiety or depression, to manic issues, but the first step in knowing that is identifying what your body is trying to tell you.

Be honest with yourself about whether the issues mentioned above sometimes trouble you, and don’t be afraid to see someone and tell them. Talking about it will only ever make things better, and you are never alone in doing so.

Shelina Assomull

Photos: Pixabay & Unsplash

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