When to worry: Subtle signs of mental health issues

World Mental Health Day provides a good opportunity to check in with ourselves and our loved ones about our feelings. We've identified five symptoms that are easy to miss in the daily rush but may indicate mental health issues.

Since 1992, we have celebrated World Mental Health Day on October 10. Mental health problems are still often minimized. However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), good mental health is crucial to overall health. Caring for our mental well-being is often not prioritized. Many seek help only when we can no longer cope with reality. Like physical health, ignored symptoms can worsen our condition. Many symptoms may initially not be associated with mental deterioration. So, what are the signs of mental health issues that are easy to ignore?

Adequate quantity and quality of sleep are essential for good physical and mental functioning. Poor sleep can signal that we may be suffering from depression or anxiety. If you have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up early and can't fall back asleep, it might be time to consult a specialist. Conversely, frequent "oversleeping" may signal burnout, which could develop into depression.

Consider assessing your mental well-being if you constantly feel "on edge" and get easily upset by trivial things. Especially for men, who often lack social permission to express sadness or uncertainty, "explosiveness" may mask both depression and anxiety. Both disorders can make it challenging to regulate thoughts and feelings.

A lack of energy and motivation is often mislabeled as "character flaws." We sometimes do this to ourselves, and others may judge us this way, too. However, problems with "managing things" can be a symptom of both depression and ADHD. If you find that a lack of strength and willpower to face reality appears and doesn’t go away, it might be worth getting checked for depression. On the other hand, exhausting procrastination, leaving things until the last minute, and racing to meet deadlines may suggest ADHD.

While perfectionists may be valued at work, overly stringent, excessive self-requirements can be problematic. Excessive perfectionism is common in people with anxiety disorders and eating disorders. If your standards for yourself are so high that you never feel satisfied, it may be time to seek help.

Practising psychotherapists and psychiatrists in Canada often encounter patients referred by other doctors. Many physical symptoms that have no medical explanation may have a psychological origin. Contrary to popular belief, our body and mind are a single, tightly woven entity, not separate entities. Common psychosomatic symptoms (physical symptoms with a psychological basis) include headaches, stomachaches, dizziness, and excessive sweating.

It's important to remember that these symptoms can also be completely healthy reactions to events. Feeling temporarily discouraged after a setback or angry when maltreated is normal. We have the right to feel exhausted for a while after a challenging study session or demanding project. It's worth seeking help when difficult emotions are present "without a clear reason" or persist for a long time. Healthy emotions "flow"—they come and go—appropriately in line with the circumstances we're experiencing.