It’ s no secret. We live a pretty grim world where things are getting hurt, views are being split, pandemics are spreading, and there isn‘t any sign of it stopping. You know the saying “lie down with dogs, standup with fleas”?
Imagine if we were dogs and the negative things happening in the world were the fleas. Being surrounded by so much negative stuff could affect our mental well-being even though we may not realize it.
Mental health deteriorates for several different reasons, so here are some potential causes.
1. Increased Strange Behavior
Every mental disorder has its own set of symptoms. This is why it’s pretty offensive to assume someone suffering from a mental condition isn’t smart or sane. Dr. Caleb Cadeyrn Gaska and Dr. Gavin Dagly did some study for the Australian Commission on safety and quality in healthcare.
Through this study, they discovered that an increase in the loss of touch with reality, or even an ignorance to the consequences, can be a big red flag of mental health decline.
If someone starts doing something new without telling you first, maybe you shouldn’t be too surprised if they suddenly change their behavior.
Hallucination of any kind is not funny nor a joke; please contact a mental health professional immediately if you or a family member shows signs of experiencing them.
2. No Mental Health Education
In the last ten years or so, mental illness has gone from being something people were ashamed about to something that is openly discussed and understood.
Because of this, information about mental illness has gotten much easier to find. We can watch videos online about how to deal with depression, anxiety, and stress. We can read articles about what it means to be mentally healthy.
And lots of businesses are starting to create resources for their employees. So, why not start your own business? You could help others get through tough times and make them feel better about themselves.
Even though there are plenty of books and articles out there on how to improve one’ s mood, not everyone takes advantage of them.
A study done by Jennifer Dimoff and Kevin Kaloways shows that people can change their behavior for up to three months after learning something new.
So if you’re feeling down, why not try taking advantage of the many tools available? You might find that they help you feel better faster than you thought possible.
3. Past Trauma
PTSD can be triggered by any type of overwhelming stress. People who suffer from PTSD often have flashbacks of the traumatic events they experienced.
They may feel afraid or anxious about these memories, especially if the person was harmed during the incident.
A research team at the University of West England studied the mental states of individuals who experienced flooding.
Their findings showed that an individual’s mental status before the flood could predict whether they would experience mental distress following the flood.
Those who had a history of chronic stressors prior to the flood suffered greater mental distress than those without previous stressors.
4. Anti-Hakuna Matata
Hakuna Matata – No Worries. Antihakuna Matata – All the Worrying. According to the American Psychological Association, “Anxiety disorder is the most common of mental illnesses and affects about one third of Americans at some time in their life.” Even though they can be treated, anxiety disorder comes with its own unique sets of problems.
In Fall 2020, a survey was conducted online regarding the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the general public. People who answered questions had concerns about contracting the virus, losing their job, and having trouble paying bills.
They also had concerns about their personal safety and feeling depressed. Some were worried about family members and friends contracting the virus.
Other respondents said they felt anxious and stressed. These additional stresses have led to increases in mental health issues.
If you’re seeing more stressful factors in your daily life instead of a balance between work and play, it may indicate that your mental health has deteriorated and that it’s time to re-prioritize.
5. Your Surroundings
Take a look at the neighborhood around you. How safe does it feel? Do people walk alone late at night? Is there a lot of litter or graffiti? Does it seem dangerous?
A recent survey found that areas with high levels of litter and graffiti had significantly lower rates of depression and anxiety.
These results suggest that our environment can impact our mental wellness. Think about it. You’re probably safer if you stay home instead of walking around town late at night.
If you live somewhere without much to see, maybe you’ll feel bored. Maybe you can get out of the house and meet people. What else could you possibly miss out on?
6. You Lost Your Groove
Let’ s face it. Life gets busy. And if you’re not careful, it can get crazy too! So how do we keep our sanity? By staying focused on what matters most.
That’s why I’ve put together these 10 tips to help you stay sane. They’ll help you make better decisions, improve your relationships, and find peace within yourself.
However, just like Stella and Emperor Kurzicko, you can definitely feel better again by trying these methods: Aim for seven or eight hours of uninterrupted rest each night.
Before going
Life is rough. While life doesn’t get easier, you’re improving yourself as you go along. You may experience mental illness, but you’ll overcome it. Don’t let your mental state deteriorate. Take care of yourself.
If you relate to any of these signs, please reach someone you trust to start making changes in your life.
