Modern living brings with it a lot of changes that can affect our mental health. A mental health crisis often arises when our personal coping mechanisms deteriorate or fail. As a result, we feel unable to cope with life’s demands, reaching a point where it feels overwhelming. Our relationships, work, social activities, and daily routines are all affected.
In this article, we’ll delve into various signs associated with a mental health crisis:
- Suicidal thoughts
- Severe depression
- Substance abuse
- Psychotic episodes
- Manic episodes
We’ll then explore how you can respond to people facing these challenges and which professionals may be involved in their addiction recovery.
Suicidal Thoughts
Suicidal thoughts or behaviours are a strong sign of a mental health crisis. Individuals experiencing such thoughts often grapple with intense emotional pain, despair, or hopelessness that’s overwhelming to manage.
If you’re concerned about someone, here are some signs to look out for that may indicate they’re experiencing suicidal ideation:
- Mentioning suicide or death. They may say things such as “Nobody would miss me if I wasn’t here” and “I’d be better off dead.”
- Expressing worthlessness. They may talk about feeling hopeless, having no reason to live, or feeling like a burden.
- Withdrawal. A sudden withdrawal from friends, family, and activities they once enjoyed. A tendency to isolate themselves.
- Changes in behaviour. Significant changes in sleep patterns, eating habits, or personal hygiene. Also, they may suddenly start giving away their belongings or putting together their will.
- Reckless behaviour. Engaging in risky activities without concern for consequences.
- Saying goodbye. Saying goodbye to people as if they won’t see them again. Making unplanned visits to family and friends.
- Appearing unusually calm. A sudden sense of calm can also mean that the person has made a decision to attempt suicide.
If you’re worried about someone, it’s important to ask directly if they’re having thoughts of suicide and encourage them to seek professional help.
Severe Depression
Severe depression strongly signals a mental health crisis due to its profound impact on one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. This level of emotional distress surpasses typical mood fluctuations. It involves overwhelming feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and despair.
The intensity of this emotional pain can impair cognitive and physical functioning, hindering routine activities and relationships.
Some signs of severe depression include:
- Persistent sadness. People with severe depression often experience a pervasive and enduring sense of sadness that persists throughout most of the day, nearly every day.
- Loss of interest or pleasure. Anhedonia, or the inability to experience pleasure in activities once enjoyed, is a hallmark of severe depression. Hobbies, social interactions, and activities that used to bring joy may no longer hold any appeal.
- Irritability. People with severe depression may become easily irritable, agitated, or frustrated, even over minor issues.
- Changes in sleep patterns. Severe depression can lead to disruptions in sleep, manifesting as either insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep) or hypersomnia (excessive sleep).
- Fatigue. Individuals may feel persistently tired, physically drained, and find even simple tasks requiring significant effort.
- Changes in appetite or weight. Significant changes in appetite, leading to weight loss or gain, can be indicative of severe depression. Some individuals may experience increased appetite, while others may have a diminished interest in food.
- Difficulty concentrating. Cognitive difficulties, including problems with concentration, memory, and decision-making, are common in severe depression.
- Physical symptoms. Unexplained physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive problems, or persistent pain without a clear medical cause may be associated with severe depression.
Substance Abuse
Drug and alcohol problems are another sign of a mental health crisis. This often involves self-medication to seek relief from symptoms related to anxiety, depression or trauma.
Detoxification and early rehabilitation play crucial roles in addressing substance abuse during a mental health crisis.
Detoxification ensures a supervised and secure environment for people to safely withdraw from substances, especially those with severe withdrawal symptoms. In such instances, healthcare professionals closely monitor and manage complications, administering necessary medications to alleviate the physical and psychological discomfort associated with the detox process.
Besides helping break the cycle of substance dependency, early intervention and rehabilitation also play a crucial role in preventing relapse by addressing the root causes of people’s issues.
Psychotic Episodes
Psychotic episodes involve a significant loss of contact with reality.
If you suspect someone may be going through a psychotic episode, it's essential to seek professional help immediately. Here are some signs that someone may be experiencing a psychotic episode:
- Hallucinations. The individual may perceive things that others do not, such as hearing voices, seeing things, feeling sensations on the skin, or even smelling odours that aren't present.
- Delusions. False beliefs that are strongly held despite evidence to the contrary.
- Paranoia. Intense and irrational distrust or suspicion of others. They may believe that they’re being targeted or persecuted.
- Disorganized thinking. Thoughts may become fragmented, making it difficult for the person to communicate coherently. They may jump between unrelated topics or struggle to express themselves logically.
- Impaired judgement. Someone experiencing a psychotic episode may have difficulty making sound decisions or understanding the consequences of their actions.
Manic Episodes
Manic episodes are a strong sign of a mental health crisis due to their extreme and disruptive nature. They involve a significant shift in mood, characterized by an unusually elevated, irritable, or expansive state that deviates significantly from a person’s baseline mood.
Impaired judgment is also common, resulting in excessive spending, risky sexual behaviours, or substance abuse. Another characteristic is a decreased need for sleep, contributing to a cycle of increased activity and impulsivity.
Feelings of grandiosity and unrealistic beliefs about one’s abilities or importance are also prevalent during manic episodes.
Responding to a Mental Health Crisis
Here’s how you can respond appropriately to someone experiencing a mental health crisis:
- Try to keep calm and composed to create a stable environment.
- Engage in non-judgmental, empathetic communication.
- Let the affected person express themselves without interruption.
- Suggest seeking professional help and offer assistance in finding mental health resources. This could include providing helpline numbers, contacting a therapist, or accompanying them to an appointment.
- Eliminate objects or substances that could be used for harm.
- Inform a family member or friend for additional assistance.
- If the situation is urgent and there’s an immediate risk of harm to oneself or others, call emergency services in your country (such as 911 in the US) for immediate assistance.
- If the situation is severe, you can also consider going straight to the nearest emergency room. Emergency rooms are equipped to handle mental health crises, and staff can provide immediate evaluation and intervention.
- Stay with them if there’s a risk of harm until professional help arrives.
Seeking Professional Support for a Mental Health Crisis
Seeking professional support is crucial when dealing with a mental health crisis. Here are several types of professionals that can offer assistance in such situations:
- Psychologists. These professionals hold advanced degrees in psychology and specialize in the assessment and treatment of mental health problems. They can provide therapy, evaluate symptoms, and help individuals navigate through a mental health crisis.
- Licensed therapists and counsellors. These professionals hold various credentials depending on their training, such as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) or Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW). They can provide counselling, therapy, and support during a mental health crisis.
- Addiction specialists. Professionals specializing in addiction recovery can be invaluable during a mental health crisis involving drug and alcohol problems. They’re equipped to address the complex interplay between mental health and addiction, providing tailored interventions and support.
- Psychiatrists. These medical doctors specialize in mental health and have the ability to prescribe medications, offer therapy, and provide comprehensive care during a crisis.
- Crisis hotline professionals. Trained individuals who staff crisis hotlines, helplines, and crisis text lines can provide immediate support, resources, and guidance for those going through a mental health crisis. They are available 24/7 to provide assistance in moments of distress.
- Mental health nurses. These professionals specialize in mental health and can offer care, support, and education during a crisis. They may work in hospitals, clinics, or community settings, providing critical assistance to individuals in need.
- Peer support volunteers. These volunteers have personal experience with mental health challenges and have received specialized training to provide support and guidance to others going through similar situations.
In addition, many areas have specialized mental health crisis services that provide immediate support. These services can include crisis stabilization units or mobile crisis intervention teams that can come to you.
It’s important to remember that seeking help during a mental health crisis is a sign of strength. These professionals are dedicated to providing the support needed to navigate challenging times.
Conclusion
Early recognition of signs associated with a mental health crisis can help with prompt treatment and healing. If you or a loved one is exhibiting any of the above signs, seek professional support immediately.
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