Mental health is foundational to life and well-being. And when you lose it, you certainly know about it.
But what signs should you look out for that suggest you could be on a slippery slope to conditions like depression and anxiety? Which symptoms are canaries in the coal mine?
That’s what we explore in this post. We look at some of the evidence that your mental health might be suffering and ways you can act to take charge of your health.
You Have More Mood Swings
A greater propensity to mood swings is a telltale sign that your mental health might be suffering as a woman. You might find that you’re okay one minute, and then in a terrible state the next.
When this happens, it is usually a sign of extreme perceived mental stress. Something in your life is causing you immense stress and making you feel less content with your life.
The trick here is to identify the underlying trigger. Once you know what it is, you can begin to deal with it.
Your Sleeping Patterns Are A Mess
Another sign your mental health is suffering as a woman is disrupted sleep patterns. You try to get consistent hours in the sack, but can’t.
The two main problems indicating high stress are:
- Being unable to sleep quickly after going to bed
- Waking up too early in the morning before you’re fully rested
Both of these indicate high cortisol and an overactive stress response.
The trick here is to look at the things causing you stress in your life and ask how they might be affecting you. Sometimes, small issues can become big ones, especially if they are constantly playing in your life.
You’re Coping In Unhealthy Ways
You could also be entering a difficult period for your mental health if you’re finding yourself coping in unhealthy ways. For example, you might be relying on food, alcohol, or drugs to see you through.
If you’re in this position, consider checking into a womens drug rehab. A short stint followed by outpatient support is usually all you need to put you right back on track.
Don’t leave it too long if you find yourself behaving in unhealthy ways. Take action as quickly as you can to ensure your long-term success.
You Feel Overwhelmed By Small Tasks
Feeling overwhelmed by small tasks is another sign that something might be wrong. If the little things, like making breakfast or taking the bus to work in the morning are too challenging, that could be a sign of more severe issues.
Feeling overwhelmed, even if it is a minor responsibility, is usually the point where you should seek external help. A therapist can assist you in these circumstances, working with you to discover what might be making life so hard.
You’re Isolating Yourself
Lastly, you may have mental health issues if you want to isolate yourself. While solitude is okay, isolation and wanting to get away is usually a sign of deep unhappiness.