In Australia, the prevalence of mental illness is hard to ignore, with approximately one in every five Australians (that’s 20% of the population) experiencing a mental illness each year.

A staggering 45% of Australians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime, and these rates continue to rise each year. Mental illness can be something we experience first-hand or indirectly through people close to us, like our spouse. The warning signs can range from the subtle to the fairly obvious but no matter the case, it is important to know what the signs are.

1 Feeling ‘low’ for 2 weeks or more

In life it is normal to experience an array of emotions which can contribute to both ‘good’ and ‘bad’ days. However, feeling generally unhappy, low or depressed for weeks on end can be a sign that you’re suffering and could benefit from speaking to a professional. Having ups and downs is normal but feeling unhappy all the time for no specific reason and just generally feeling ‘empty’ inside can be a sign that you’re suffering. It is important to seek help from a professional if you are feeling this way or talk to someone close to you about what might be impacting your outlook.

2 Loss of joy

If you’ve lost interest in things that you normally enjoy, whether it’s a hobby, food, social activity, hanging out with friends, or your career, this could be a sign it’s time to talk to a psychologist. A loss of interest in activities can be a sign of mental health concerns, especially if it causes you to become withdrawn or start avoiding the kinds of social connections you’d normally enjoy. Now is a particularly difficult time to do many things we normally would given restrictions happening around Australia, however if you’re finding yourself not wanting to do things even if you could, there could be cause for concern.

3 Constantly feeling worried and anxious

As a human being it is natural to go through a myriad of emotions however when specific feelings start to reoccur or feel like they don’t go away, it’s time to consider things further. Especially if these feelings start to infiltrate your life and are constant or interfere with daily activities. No one should have to live in a constant state of flight or fight.

4 Reacting differently

Right now, we are living in unprecedented times which means there’s a chance we are feeling a little more fragile than normal (which can affect our emotions). However, if you’re finding yourself constantly reacting to scenarios quite differently to what you normally would, it could be time to talk to someone. For example, you may have snapped or responded in an overly agitated way to a seemingly trivial thing, or gotten upset at a joke that wouldn’t normally offend you. We all have those funny days where we cry at a commercial, but if it starts happening all the time and it is out of character for you, ensure you seek help.

5 Getting sick often due to stress 

Physical sickness can often be a sign of some other mental health concerns at play. For example, if you are in a state of constant stress, this could lead to you becoming run down and physically sick. There is a strong physical-emotional connection so our bodies can often tell us something is wrong before we realise. If you are noticing that you are continually getting sick, it might be worth looking at what else is happening in your life which could be the root cause.

6 You’re not sleeping properly

Trouble sleeping usually stems from not being able to calm your mind, with thoughts consistently running through your brain and inhibiting you from dozing off. Sleep is paramount for regenerating our body and mind and when we don’t sleep properly, this can have an on-flow effect in our lives. Poor quality or interrupted sleep can also have a dramatic effect on our wellbeing, making us feel tired, emotional and lacking energy throughout the day. Lack of sleep can unfortunately become a psychological and physical battle for a person, and prolonged lack of sleep can have detrimental effects. If you are struggling to sleep properly, try to practice some tactics that might help, such as no screens before bed, journaling, and meditation. If this doesn’t help, seek the help from a professional.

7 You’re turning to destructive behaviour such as substance use

Mental health struggles and substance abuse can sometimes go hand in hand. People who are struggling will often turn to drugs and alcohol as an escape or a way to lift their mood. However, unfortunately this can actually have the opposite effect. Alcohol is a known depressant so can increase feelings of sadness and the come down from drugs can leave a person feeling worse than before. Chemicals in drugs and seemingly harmless substances like caffeine can affect the way the brain functions and cause various symptoms that can affect a person’s mental health.

What to do if you are struggling?

If you are feeling low, lacking motivation or are finding it harder to do things you would normally do, be proactive and prevent things from getting worse. Don’t ignore the warning signs – constant stress, worry, anxious thoughts or feeling down all the time are all cause for concern and good reasons to seek help. If speaking to someone initially feels a bit daunting, you could start by trying an online tool that asks you questions about your mental health to find out if you should seek professional help. It takes strength to speak up and get the help you need.  Wherever you are LYSN is here to support you with your wellbeing and offer over-the-phone and video counselling with trained mental health experts.  Visit welysn.com to learn more.