Mental health challenges affect millions of people each year, yet many individuals suffering from these conditions don’t receive the help they need.
At Arbor Wellness, we believe in the importance of early intervention and comprehensive support for those experiencing mental health difficulties. Recognizing the warning signs that someone might need professional help is the first crucial step toward healing and recovery.
Mental health conditions are often invisible struggles, making them difficult to identify without proper awareness. This guide aims to help you recognize common symptoms that may indicate a need for mental health treatment, provide guidance on supporting loved ones, and understand the various levels of care available.
Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
10 Symptoms That Indicate Someone May Need Mental Health Treatment
1. Persistent Sadness or Low Mood
When feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness persist for more than two weeks and interfere with daily functioning, this may indicate depression or another mood disorder. Watch for someone who has lost interest in activities they once enjoyed or who expresses feelings of worthlessness.
2. Excessive Worry or Fear
Everyone experiences anxiety occasionally, but when worry becomes overwhelming, constant, and disproportionate to the situation, it may be time to seek help. Signs include excessive nervousness, inability to control worry, restlessness, and physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat or shortness of breath.
3. Significant Changes in Sleep Patterns
Both insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep) and hypersomnia (excessive sleeping) can be symptoms of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. Consistent sleep disturbances that affect daily functioning warrant professional attention.
4. Dramatic Mood Swings
Extreme fluctuations between emotional highs and lows that disrupt normal functioning may indicate conditions like bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. These mood swings are typically more severe than ordinary emotional responses to life events.
5. Social Withdrawal and Isolation
When someone consistently avoids social interaction, withdraws from relationships, or declines previously enjoyed activities, it may signal depression, social anxiety, or other mental health concerns. This is especially concerning if the behavior represents a significant change from their typical social patterns.
6. Changes in Eating Habits and Weight
Significant weight loss or gain, or dramatic changes in eating patterns such as eating too much or too little, may indicate an eating disorder, depression, or anxiety. These changes often occur alongside negative body image or obsessive thoughts about food.
7. Difficulty Concentrating or Making Decisions
Problems with focus, memory, or decision-making that interfere with work, school, or daily responsibilities can be symptoms of various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, ADHD, or early signs of cognitive decline.
8. Substance Use to Cope
Using alcohol or drugs to manage emotions, escape problems, or “feel normal” can indicate both substance use disorders and underlying mental health conditions. This self-medication often worsens mental health symptoms over time, often leading to someone needing dual diagnosis treatment.
9. Intense Anger or Irritability
Frequent outbursts of anger, irritability, or hostility disproportionate to the situation may signal depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns. This is particularly concerning when it leads to relationship problems or aggressive behavior.
10. Thoughts of Death or Suicide
Any expression of suicidal thoughts or preoccupation with death requires immediate professional intervention. Warning signs may include talking about wanting to die, feeling hopeless, being a burden to others, or making plans for suicide.
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 for immediate support.
How to Help A Loved One Find Mental Health Treatment
Start With Compassionate Conversation
Approach your loved one with empathy and without judgment. Choose a private, comfortable setting and a time when neither of you feels rushed or stressed. Use “I” statements to express your concerns, such as “I’ve noticed you seem to be struggling lately, and I’m concerned about you.”
Listen Actively
Sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is simply listen. Allow your loved one to express their feelings without interruption or judgment. Validate their experiences and feelings, even if you don’t fully understand them.
Offer Specific Support
Instead of vague offers like “Let me know if you need anything,” suggest specific ways you can help, such as researching therapists, accompanying them to an initial appointment, or assisting with daily tasks that might feel overwhelming during this time.
Research Resources Together
Navigating the mental health system can be daunting. Offer to help research therapists, psychiatrists, or treatment centers that accept their insurance and specialize in their particular concerns. At Arbor Wellness, we can help you find the right treatment you or a loved one needs. Call us now at 629-217-2658 or verify your insurance.
Address Barriers and Misconceptions
Many people avoid seeking help due to stigma, cost concerns, or misconceptions about treatment. Address these openly by providing accurate information about mental health care and discussing practical solutions to obstacles like insurance coverage or scheduling.
Practice Patience and Persistence
Recovery is rarely linear, and finding the right treatment often takes time. Be patient with your loved one through this process, celebrating small victories and providing continued support during setbacks.
Understanding Mental Health Treatment Levels of Care
Mental health treatment exists on a spectrum, with different levels of intensity appropriate for different needs. Understanding these options can help you and your loved one make informed decisions about care.
Outpatient Therapy
This most common form of treatment involves regular sessions with a therapist, typically lasting 45-60 minutes, once or twice weekly. Outpatient therapy is appropriate for individuals who are stable and able to function in their daily lives while working through mental health challenges.
Types include:
Medication Management & Psychiatry
Many mental health conditions respond well to medication, often prescribed by psychiatrists or psychiatric nurse practitioners. Mental health medication may be used alone or, more commonly, in conjunction with therapy for conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) provide more structure and support than traditional outpatient therapy while still allowing individuals to live at home and potentially continue working or attending school. Programs typically meet 3-5 days per week for 3-4 hours per day.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) offer comprehensive treatment during the day (typically 5-6 hours, 5 days per week) while allowing individuals to return home in the evenings. This level of care is appropriate for those who need significant support but don’t require 24-hour supervision.
Residential Treatment
Residential programs provide 24-hour care in a non-hospital setting. These programs are appropriate for individuals who need a high level of support and structure but don’t require medical stabilization. Stays typically range from several weeks to months.
Begin Mental Health Treatment in Nashville Today
At Arbor Wellness, we understand that seeking help for mental health concerns can feel overwhelming. Remember that recovery is possible, and professional support can make a tremendous difference in quality of life.
Mental health conditions are medical conditions, just like diabetes or heart disease. They deserve the same level of attention, care, and treatment. By recognizing the symptoms that indicate someone need mental health treatment and understanding the available treatment options, you’re already taking important steps toward healing—whether for yourself or in support of someone you care about.
Ready to Begin Your Journey to Better Mental Health?
Contact Arbor Wellness today to schedule a confidential assessment with one of our compassionate mental health professionals. Our expert team will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs and goals.
Call us at 629-217-2658 or verify your insurance to learn more about our services and begin your path to wellness. You don’t have to face mental health challenges alone—we’re here to help every step of the way.
Remember: Recovery is a journey, not a destination. With the right support, hope and healing are always possible.
