When Someone You Love is Struggling With Mental Illness

How Can You Tell if Someone is Silently Struggling?

She goes to work every day. She takes care of her family. She answers texts. She shows up for appointments. She laughs with friends. From the outside, everything may look fine. But underneath the surface, she may be in emotional pain. Mental health and substance use problems don’t always appear the way we expect them to. Sometimes, the person who needs help is the person who seems to have it all pulled together.

Inpatient and outpatient behavioral health support

Many people become very good at hiding what they’re feeling or experiencing. They may continue working, caring for their children, maintaining relationships, and meeting their responsibilities.  However, they may be privately dealing with anxiety, depression, substance use, or emotional exhaustion. This can make it difficult to recognize that something is wrong.  There may not be one dramatic moment that signals a problem. Instead, there may be small changes that gradually become more noticeable. It may be time to schedule a confidential mental health care assessment.  If mental health issues affect someone close to you, you may notice these behaviors:

• Pulling away from people they normally enjoy spending time with
• Changes in sleep or appetite
• Increased irritability or mood swings
• Losing interest in activities they once enjoyed
• Feeling overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities
• Using alcohol or other substances more frequently
• Turning to substances or other behaviors as a way to cope with stress
• Becoming increasingly secretive or defensive
• Frequently saying they’re “fine” while appearing exhausted, unhappy or disconnected
• Struggling privately while continuing to perform well at work or maintaining usual responsibilities

None of these signs automatically means someone has a mental health or substance use disorder. But changes that persist or begin interfering with daily life are worth paying attention to.

Why Women Become Experts at Hiding Hurt Feelings

Women often carry multiple roles and responsibilities at the same time, professional, parent, spouse, caregiver, daughter, friend and more.  There can be tremendous pressure to keep going regardless of how someone feels. For some women, asking for help may feel like admitting they aren’t strong enough to handle everything. Others may worry about how their family, coworkers or friends will respond.  As a result, they may minimize what they’re experiencing or wait until their symptoms have become much more difficult to manage. Seeking help isn’t ever a sign of weakness.

Are your coping mechanisms still working?

Coping skills learned in behavioral health settings can include a range of services such as 12-step programs, meditation, individual and group therapy, and family counseling.   Here’s the difference: Having a drink to help unwind after a stressful day isn’t necessarily a sign of a substance use disorder. But if alcohol or another substance becomes the primary way you relax, socialize or move throughout your day, it may be time to take a closer look. Similarly, feeling anxious or overwhelmed from time to time can be a normal part of life. But persistent depression, hopelessness or emotional exhaustion can make it difficult to function and enjoy life.

Early intervention can provide an opportunity to understand what’s happening, develop healthier coping strategies and begin making changes before problems become more difficult to manage.

Asking for emotional help takes couragee

Treatment also doesn’t look the same for everyone. The right approach depends on the patient’s needs, circumstances and goals. It may mean having a difficult conversation with someone you love. Or it may simply mean making the first phone call and saying, “I’m not sure what I need but I know I need help.” That’s not failure. It’s a step towards something better.

Parkwood Behavioral Health System in Olive Branch

Call 662-895-4900 or schedule an outpatient assessment in Mississippi. Parkwood Behavioral offers Ivy Trails, a specialized program providing support for women seeking recovery. We’re located on a beautiful, serene campus next to Olive Branch City Park.

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