11 Warning Signs of Mental Health Issues You Should Know

4. SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL

If you’re increasingly isolating yourself from social activities or withdrawing from relationships you once enjoyed, it could signal a deeper issue that needs to be evaluated. Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities or avoiding interactions with friends and family can be a sign of depression or other mental health conditions.

Understand that this is not about the natural progression of certain relationships or growing out of certain hobbies. This is about having the desire to want to enjoy those parts of your life again—except your mind isn’t allowing you to feel that desire and continue enjoying it.

Social withdrawal is often linked to a lack of energy or motivation, both of which are common when dealing with mental health disorders. A NIMH report showed approximately 20% of U.S. adults experience some form of mental illness annually, with social withdrawal being a hallmark symptom.

5. TROUBLE WITH DAILY FUNCTIONING

If you are someone who previously excelled at work, school, or social activities, but you’re suddenly struggling to keep up with your tasks, it could indicate mental health issues. Research shows that it’s important to pay attention to daily functioning problems, such as:

• Neglecting responsibilities and/or hygiene
• Difficulty completing basic tasks like cleaning or organizing
• Struggling to meet deadlines or keep up with workload demands
• Experiencing difficulty concentrating or retaining information
• Forgetting important appointments, commitments, or responsibilities

These may be signs of mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), also known as attention deficit disorder (ADD). When these are left untreated, your ability to work and interact socially can be significantly and negatively impacted.

If your performance has noticeably decreased in one or more areas of life, it’s important to explore the possibility of a mental disorder with a trusted and qualified mental health professional.

6. DIFFICULTY FOCUSING

Everybody experiences times when it’s challenging to stay on task. But if your problems with focus and concentration persist and get in the way of your success, it could be a sign of trouble. Focus and attention problems are hallmark signs of ADHD, but they can also be linked to other mental health disorders.

For example, research shows that cognitive issues like poor focus are experienced by nearly 50% of people with depression and anxiety disorders. If these symptoms interfere with work or daily life, you need to seek professional help to assess potential mental health disorders.

Related: 5 Simple Ways to Boost Your Focus

7. HEIGHTENED SENSITIVITY

A heightened sensitivity to environmental stimuli—think light, sounds, smells, or textures—can signal an overactive nervous system. This is then often triggered by stress, anxiety, or trauma.

If you find yourself avoiding public places, loud environments, or large crowds because you become overwhelmed by external stimuli, it could be a red flag. Your hypersensitivity may be a sign of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), ADHD, or anxiety.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) reports that anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the U.S. Many of those struggling with anxiety disorder also experience sensory sensitivities or overload as part of their condition.

8. FEELING NUMB OR DETACHED

When you start to feel detached from yourself or your surroundings, or lose interest in life, it’s important to give yourself space to learn why. This feeling of disconnection, also known as depersonalization, can make a person feel as though they are observing life from the outside.

This symptom is common in those with major depressive disorder, where emotional numbness can take over and result in apathy toward daily activities or people. If you find yourself or a loved one lacking initiative or experiencing emotional numbness, it’s important to seek help from a mental health professional.

9. ILLOGICAL OR DISORDERED THINKING

Mental disorders like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia can cause illogical thinking or delusions that lead people to believe in exaggerated or false thoughts about themselves or the world. These beliefs might include thoughts of grandeur or the idea that you have special powers to control events around you.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1 in 300 people worldwide experience schizophrenia in their lifetime, often manifesting as distorted thinking and perceptions. If someone’s beliefs seem out of touch with reality or become more outlandish, it may indicate a serious mental health condition that requires intervention.

10. NERVOUS OR FEARFUL BEHAVIOR

Excessive nervousness, fear, or paranoia can be symptoms of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or social anxiety disorder. Uncharacteristic behavior like erratic speech or avoiding everyday tasks due to irrational fears, often points to an underlying issue.

The NIMH reports nearly 30% of adults in the U.S. experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. Most of them report symptoms such as hypervigilance and hyper-avoidance of triggering situations. If you or someone you love seems to be living in constant fear, it may be time to seek professional mental health guidance.

Related: 4 Steps to Break an Anxiety Attack

11. CHANGES IN SCHOOL OR WORK PERFORMANCE

A sudden change in your performance at school or work can be an early warning sign of a mental disorder. Such changes may include:

• Finding it difficult to keep up with responsibilities
• Having trouble staying focused
• Increased absenteeism
• Experiencing conflicts with colleagues or classmates

If your productivity isn’t what it used to be, you may want to take a deeper dive to investigate what’s causing the drop in performance.

FINAL THOUGHTS: DON’T IGNORE SIGNS OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

Recognizing mental health symptoms early can be critical to getting the right help and support. They should not be dismissed lightly. Getting an early diagnosis means early intervention, so you can better manage your symptoms and improve your overall quality of life.