Mental Health: How Do You Know If Your Loved One Needs Help?
If your loved one begins to behave in a way that doesn't seem right, you may wonder if they have a mental health disorder. Although mental health disorders can be difficult to detect in some people, the conditions can reveal some signs of their existence. Here are things to look for in your loved one that indicate a mental problem and what you can do to help them overcome them.
What Mental Health Signs Should You Look For?
Although the signs can be subtle in some individuals, you can pick up on them in time. Some of the signs you can look for in your loved one include:
- Using drugs or alcohol on a regular basis
- Ignoring hobbies or favorite activities
- Experiencing episodes of despair
- Crying for no apparent reason
Your loved one may also become easily agitated, angry, or defensive about things you say or do for them. If your loved one recently experienced a letdown or disappointment in life, they may become isolated and depressed. Your loved one may also engage in risky or dangerous behavior, such as staying out all night or hanging out with unsavory friends.
If you notice the signs above or other bouts of strange behavior, seek help for your family member or friend now.
How Do You Help Your Loved One?
It's important to understand that your family member or friend may not want your help. Although the individual may know that they suffer from mental health issues, they may not want to deal with these problems right away. If this occurs, you may want to back off and give your loved one time to seek your assistance. If your loved one does wish to seek help for their problems, you can contact a mental health counselor for them.
A mental health counselor will need to diagnose your loved one before they can assist them. A counselor may ask your family member or friend different questions about their life, such as how they feel about their job or family life. Sometimes, mental health problems develop when an individual is unhappy about their living situation, marriage, or parenting skills.
A counselor may also examine your loved one's appearance and attitude. Some mental health disorders can affect people's ability to care for themselves, such as grooming their hair or wearing the appropriate clothing. For instance, a number of people who become depressed may skip brushing their teeth or washing their hair.
The treatment for your loved one may depend on the disorder they have in life. However, mental health counseling is one of the most common treatments used today. Counseling allows your loved one to talk about their issues in life. If your loved one doesn't respond well to just counseling, they may need medications to treat their condition.
If you need help with your loved one, contact a mental health counselor today, like Sharon O'Connell, MA.