When should I seek professional help for mental health?

Professional mental health help should be sought when changes in thinking, mood, or behavior affect your ability to cope with daily life or interpersonal relationships. These signs include feelings of hopelessness, social withdrawal, severe changes in sleep and eating habits, or thoughts of harming yourself or others [1].

Signs Requiring Help

Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between normal human emotions and changes that may indicate a mental health problem. However, there are specific warning signs indicating it is time to seek professional support. If you are experiencing noticeable changes in eating or sleeping habits, or feel a lack of energy or interest in activities you previously enjoyed, this may be an indicator [1]. Feelings of numbness or apathy, experiencing unexplained physical pain, or feelings of helplessness and hopelessness are also signs that require attention [1].

Other signs may include an increase in smoking, drinking alcohol, or substance use, along with unusual confusion, forgetfulness, anger, irritability, anxiety, or fear [1]. Severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships, thoughts and memories you cannot get rid of, or hearing voices or believing things that are not true are all strong indicators of the need for help [1]. In some cases, a person may find it difficult to perform daily tasks such as caring for children, going to work, or attending school [1].

When are Symptoms Dangerous?

Some symptoms are more serious and require immediate intervention. If you are thinking about harming yourself or others, this requires emergency medical attention [1]. Recurring thoughts about death or suicide, or self-destructive behaviors such as head-banging or suddenly sustaining repeated injuries, are warning signs that should not be ignored [2]. In such cases, it is essential to contact a crisis hotline or go to the nearest emergency department [3].

Practical Steps to Seek Help

If you suspect you are suffering from a mental health problem, the first step is to seek help. You can start by talking to your primary care physician, as they can assess your condition and refer you to a qualified mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker [3]. These specialists can help determine the next steps, which may include talk therapy (psychotherapy), medication, or both [1].

Mental Health in Children

It is important to recognize and treat mental illnesses early in children, as they can become ingrained in the child's behavior if left untreated, making them more difficult to manage [2]. Warning signs in children may include problems in more than one setting (at school, at home, with peers), changes in appetite or sleep, social withdrawal, and fear of things they were not previously afraid of [2]. Additionally, regression to younger-child behaviors, such as bedwetting, signs of distress like sadness or crying, self-destructive behaviors, or recurring thoughts of death, all warrant consultation with a specialist [2].

Remember that mental health is a fundamental part of your overall health and can change over time. For more information on building resilience and dealing with daily life stressors, you can visit Mental Health: Building Resilience and Coping with Daily Life Stressors (Arabic).

Medical references

• Mental Health
• Child Mental Health
• Men and Mental Health