Recognizing the Signs of Deteriorating Mental Health:

Have you been wondering if your mental health is possibly getting worse? Mental health, just like physical health, affects everyone, whether you are suffering from a mental illness or not. Your mental and emotional health can fluctuate from time to time, depending on the stresses going on in your life. So, it’s always a good idea to check in with yourself and try to gauge the direction your mental health is going in. Experienced psychologists at Dubai Psychology are here to guide you through this journey and offer the support you need.

1. Losing Interest in the Little Things

Do your favorite activities suddenly seem "meh" to you? If you’ve started to lose excitement for life’s little things, then this is a sign that your mental health might not be at its best. You might be feeling this way because of an overload of stress in your life or feeling overwhelmed with all of your responsibilities and to-do lists. When you lose interest and don’t enjoy the hobbies and activities that you once did, this could also be a warning sign of depression. If you think this could be happening to you, know that you are not alone, and help is just around the corner. Talk with a trusted friend, family member, or a mental health professional to get the support you need to navigate these troubling times.

2. Getting Overwhelmed Easier

Do you find that you’ve been getting overwhelmed more often than usual? When you have a to-do list with two or three tasks, does it feel more like you have ten things to do? When you start to get overwhelmed easily with everyday things, this could be a sign of worsening mental health. According to Psychotherapist Sheri Jacobson, feeling mentally overwhelmed could be an internal reaction to excessive outside stress. To help cope with this overwhelming feeling, you can journal, meditate, or practice mindfulness.

3. Decreased Socialization

Does it feel more exhausting to interact with people nowadays? Regardless of whether you’re an introvert, extrovert, or somewhere in between, we all have a standard comfort level when it comes to social interaction. If you feel yourself slipping below your comfort level, pay attention to this. Remember that even if it doesn’t feel that way at the moment, interacting with people can help boost your mood!

4. Inconsistent Sleep Schedule

Have you developed a seemingly random sleep schedule? Despite wanting to get up at a certain time in the morning, do you wind up sleeping all day? When you have an irregular sleep schedule, this could signify increased stress in your life and a decline in your mental health. If you're struggling to regulate your sleep, try setting up a routine to wake up and go to bed at the same time every day. This will get your body back into its regular rhythm of sleep and wake cycles, thereby reducing sleep disturbances.

5. Constant Exhaustion

Despite getting enough sleep and eating well, do you constantly feel exhausted or drained? According to Healthline, mental exhaustion can set in when you are under long-term stress, making it feel like you are trying to move up a mountain. More than just feeling tired, when you are this drained and constantly exhausted, you might struggle to get anything done. Healthline suggests practicing gratitude, relaxation, and yoga, as well as talking to a mental health professional to provide medication if needed. Treatment plans will look different for everyone, but there is a way that will work best for you to help pull yourself out of this state of exhaustion.

6. Increased Anxiety

Do you wake up in the morning with a crushing sense of anxiety that stays with you all day? Does this anxiety cast a cloud over your daily activities? Worsening anxiety can often coincide with worsening mental health. Anxiety affects us all, whether or not you suffer from a particular anxiety disorder. It’s important to monitor your anxiety levels because a noticeable change can tell you a lot about your mental health. Anxiety is a response to stress and can cause various psychological and physical symptoms. When you feel overly anxious, you might notice that your heart rate speeds up, your breathing rate increases, and you might experience bouts of nausea.

7. Feeling Mentally and Emotionally Scattered

Do you feel like there are so many things happening around you, but you can’t focus on any of them? If so, you’re not alone. From time to time, it’s normal to feel this way, especially when you are going through higher amounts of stress. However, if you are feeling scattered and like things are spinning out of control, this could be a sign that your mental health is under strain. According to Psychologist Rick Hanson from Psychology Today, you probably feel scattered because you are struggling to find your center. This means that to feel more organized, you need to feel at peace within yourself. Practicing mindfulness, such as yoga and meditation, are great places to start on the road to inner peace.

8. Difficulty Paying Attention

Do you have a harder time focusing and staying on task? When you’re reading, is it hard to comprehend? Do you have to reread the same passage over and over again? Though it could relate to potential psychological disorders such as ADHD, depression, or anxiety, it is also likely that a lack of focus can be due to stress or poor self-care. It can be frustrating to start losing focus so frequently, and those feelings are valid and normal. Remember to take care of yourself and, as you recover, know that help is available.

9. Struggling with Impulse Control

Are you acting more on impulse? Are you possibly indulging in things you shouldn’t? Whether it’s retail therapy, binging all of your shows, or playing video games for hours, when you act more on impulse like this, it can signify worsening mental health. You might pick up some unhealthy habits to cope with life stress, fulfill yourself, or distract yourself from a major issue going on in your life. Journaling, mindfulness, and therapy are great ways to start uncovering some of these issues!

10. Feeling Ungrounded

Similar to feeling centered, when you are grounded, you are feeling confident and balanced within yourself. According to Irene Langeveld, an energy worker, and meditation coach, grounding starts with the root chakra at the base of the spine, known to help you feel secure. Activities that connect your body with the world around you–such as hiking, meditating, or walking outside–are all great ways to help you find your sense of grounding!

Final Thoughts

Recognizing the signs of deteriorating mental health is the first step toward getting the help you need. Experienced psychologists at Dubai Psychology are dedicated to providing professional support and personalized treatment plans to help you navigate these challenges. If you relate to any of the signs discussed in this article, don't hesitate to reach out for help. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and there are resources available to support you on your journey to wellness. Remember, you're not alone, and there is always hope for a brighter, healthier future.