10 Red Flags You're Struggling With Your Mental Health, From A Neuroscientist

Once you've ruled out these common causes, it's time to assess the severity of your symptoms. Here are 11 signs you're struggling with your mental health and could use some additional support.

The No. 1 sign that your issues are more than just everyday ups and downs is if they are causing problems in any area of your life. With my patients, it's typically when they feel like some area of their life is out of their control that they finally make an appointment to seek mental health treatment. Let's dig a little deeper into the various aspects of your life that may be impacted when you have a mental health problem:

I have treated many people who say they can't concentrate at work, don't turn in projects because they're worried they aren't good enough, or routinely miss deadlines. Lacking the motivation to start a new project, having difficulty following directions, or having run-ins with co-workers are other indicators that your emotional issues may need treatment.

Many people seek help when they're on the brink of divorce. If you're withdrawing from your family and friends, picking fights with loved ones, or feeling disconnected in any way, it may be time to seek help. Changes in sexual desire are another sign that may be related to mental health problems. If your symptoms are driving a wedge between you and your loved ones, it's a red flag.

Many people who have sat on my psychiatrist's couch made an appointment because their symptoms led to financial problems. If you're forgetting to pay your bills, spending excessively, or compulsively gambling, it's time to take your issues seriously.

If you're so anxious, depressed, or revved up at night that it keeps you from falling asleep, take note. Or, if you're waking up in the middle of the night with stressful thoughts racing through your mind, you might benefit from seeking help. On the flip side, if you're sleeping more than usual and can't get out of bed, you may have a problem.

Some people are so anxious that they lose their appetite and start dropping pounds. Others eat to soothe worries or sadness and start gaining weight. Any unexplained significant changes in appetite or weight are a sign that something's wrong.

Feeling over-energized? Or, conversely, does it seem like your get-up-and-go got up and went? Major changes or fluctuations in your energy levels may indicate some form of mental disorder.

Are your impulsive decisions leading to run-ins with the law? When you keep making the same mistakes over and over despite the consequences, it's a sure sign you need help.

If you're behaving in ways that are out of character for you, and it's leading to regrets or causing trouble in your life, it's time to admit that you might have a problem. For example, I've had many patients who finally came to me because they were uncharacteristically stealing money from work, lying, or cheating on a spouse. Engaging in any actions that go against your moral code should be a red flag.

Are you turning to alcohol, marijuana, or other substances to fill feelings of emptiness, to calm anxiousness, or to stimulate or energize yourself? Using substances to try to regulate your emotional state is another mental health red flag.

If you notice one or more of these signs, it doesn't mean that you definitely have a mental illness. However, it's an indicator that you may benefit from seeking help from a mental health professional.