These signs of psychological disorders will help you recognize a serious mental or emotional health issue.
Psychological disorders come in all shapes and sizes; there seems to be as many conditions as there are people! Body dysmorphic disorder, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety are a few mental health issues - and then there are some bizarre mental cases (like Freud's three famous cases). Even the terminology varies from "nuts" to "certifiably insane" to "eccentric." Treatments for psychological disorders vary. For instance, behavior modification could work for one person with one mental health issue, but fail miserably for psychological disorders. It's the same with medications.
But even with all this variety between people, it is possible to know if you really have a psychological disorder.
Signs of Psychological Disorders:
- You have trouble with "normal" activities, such as riding in cars or elevators, stepping on cracks, or getting on airplanes.
- You're causing harm to other people.
- You have no or few friends and you're unhappy about it.
- You're often fighting with friends, siblings, family, your partner, your kids.
- You can't establish a real connection with your partner or kids - or you have a fear of intimacy.
- You feel unhappy, sad, or distressed more often than you feel happy or content.
- You know at some level that you need to deal with something, grieve, or face a fear but you keep putting it off.
- You feel anxious, guilty, or angry and you don't know why.
Extreme Signs of Psychological Disorders:
- You can't get out of your bed, home, or city.
- You cry all the time.
- You are currently or have been imprisoned for criminal activity.
- You want to harm or kill people or animals.
- You become easily enraged.
- People advise you to get professional help or seek therapy.
- You refuse to eat, limit what you eat, or can't stop eating.
- Your partner or children refuse to have contact with you.
- You use drugs, alcohol, food, gambling, shopping, etc. to distract you. You're addicted, heavily in debt, or suffering from your lifestyle.
- You consider or have attempted suicide.
Psychology Help for Emotional Health Issues
Not every mental or emotional health issue must be "fixed"! Say you have two close friends, and haven't made any new friends for years. Are you okay with that? If so, then perhaps there's no problem. But if you wish you had more friends and crave more social activity, then it may be time to face this challenge. This doesn't necessarily mean counseling; it could involve reading books, sharing your wishes with your friends and family, or simply joining a club or fitness program.
3 Steps to Freedom From Psychological Disorders
- If you're unhappy with some aspect of your life, brainstorm ways to change or accept it.
- If you can't make the changes alone, then seek psychological help from a professional or family and friends.
- Consciously incorporate the changes you think are necessary (or that your counselor or others suggest) for at least a month. If nothing in your life improves, then repeat steps 1-3 until something does.
Sooner or later, these three steps to freedom and mental health will lead to lasting improvements in your life.....and you'll feel confident that you're not "nuts". You're just you!
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Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen - Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen is a full-time writer and blogger in Vancouver, BC, and the creator of the Quips and Tips blog series.
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