10 Signs It May Be Time to Reach Out for Mental Health Care

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By William Torres Carbonell, PMHNP, DNP, DM
Founder & Lead Clinician
RiseUp Health Group

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     One of the hardest parts of my work is meeting people who have suffered silently for months—or even years—because they were afraid to ask for help.

A common concern I hear is, "I don't want to see a psychiatrist because I don't want to be put on medication right away." My approach to care is guided by three principles: achieve the greatest improvement with the minimal use of medication, avoid unnecessary polypharmacy, and discontinue medications whenever it is safe and clinically appropriate.

     Mental health care may include education, psychotherapy, healthy lifestyle changes, learning coping skills, and the use of natural supplements and medication only when it is truly needed. Most importantly, I want you to know that there is hope. My team and I are committed to helping you become the healthiest version of yourself.

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These Are 10 Signs You May Need a Mental Health Evaluation

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1. Your emotions are interfering with your daily life.

Anxiety, sadness, irritability, frequent conflicts, withdrawing from others, feeling disconnected, or struggling to communicate are making it difficult to work, study, care for your family, or maintain relationships.

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2. You've been feeling down, anxious, or emotionally overwhelmed for more than two weeks.

Everyone experiences difficult seasons, but when symptoms persist and begin affecting your quality of life, they deserve attention.

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3. You're losing hope or finding it difficult to see a reason to keep going.

You've been feeling hopeless, believing that life will never get better, or finding yourself wishing you could go to sleep and not wake up.

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4. Your sleep has changed significantly.

Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, sleeping too much, or waking up exhausted despite getting enough sleep may be signs that your mental health needs attention.

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5. Your mind never seems to slow down.

Constant worry, racing thoughts, feeling "on edge," excessive fears, or struggling to relax may indicate that anxiety has become more than everyday stress.

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6. You're relying on unhealthy ways to cope.

Using alcohol, drugs, overeating, gambling, excessive work, social media, or other unhealthy behaviors to escape emotional pain can make things worse over time.

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7. You're having trouble concentrating, focusing, or remembering things.

Difficulty focusing, making decisions, completing tasks, or feeling mentally exhausted can be symptoms of anxiety, depression, ADHD, or other conditions.

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8. You've experienced a traumatic or major life event.

The loss of a loved one, divorce, serious illness, abuse, accidents, natural disasters, financial hardship, job loss, or other major life events can have a significant emotional impact.

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9. You're experiencing new or recurring changes in your perception and thinking.

You're seeing or hearing things others don't, developing unusual beliefs, becoming increasingly suspicious, or feeling out of touch with reality.

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10. You have been experiencing significant behavioral and mood changes.

Feeling unusually energized with little need for sleep, talking much faster than usual, engaging in risky or impulsive behaviors, becoming unusually aggressive, or experiencing thoughts that feel out of control.

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Seek Immediate Help If You or a Loved One Experience Any of the Following

• Thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or harming someone else.

• Hearing voices, seeing things that others do not, feeling detached from reality, or having difficulty distinguishing what is real from what is not.

• Going several days with little or no sleep while feeling unusually energetic, euphoric, impulsive, or invincible.

• Sudden, dramatic changes in personality, judgment, or behavior that place yourself or others at risk.

 

     These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have a specific psychiatric diagnosis, but they should never be ignored. They may be caused by psychiatric, neurological, or medical conditions and deserve prompt evaluation.

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A Final Word

     If you recognize any of these signs in yourself or someone you love, please do not wait to seek help. Asking for support is not a sign of weakness; it is one of the bravest steps a person can take. Over the years, I have had the privilege of seeing people rebuild their lives after believing they never could. Healing is possible. Hope is real. And no matter what you are facing today, your story is not over. My team and I would be honored to help you begin the next chapter.

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William T.

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​​Important Note

This article is intended for educational purposes only and does not replace a comprehensive evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional.

If you or someone you love is experiencing any symptoms listed in the "Seek Immediate Help" section above, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.