Mental health issues aren’t always obvious to the people who suffer from them or those around them.
A lot of times, conditions like anxiety and depression manifest in subtle ways that lurk just under the surface. However, when you pay attention to the person’s behaviour and daily habits, it becomes glaringly obvious that they’re struggling. Here are just some of the things they might do.
1. Withdrawing from social connections
When someone’s mental health dips, isolating themselves from friends and family is often one of the first signs. Social events feel overwhelming, and even replying to a simple text can feel like too much. They’re not avoiding people because they don’t care—they’re just conserving what little energy they have left. Over time, that isolation can create feelings of loneliness, which make things even harder to navigate.
2. Letting basic self-care slide
Skipping showers, forgetting to brush their teeth, or living off instant noodles can become the norm when mental health takes a hit. Routine tasks that once felt automatic can now seem insurmountable. It’s not laziness—it’s a sign they’re struggling to keep up with daily life. Over time, neglecting self-care can start to impact their physical health, creating a cycle that’s tough to break.
3. Sleeping too much or too little
Mental health struggles often wreak havoc on sleep patterns, leaving people either unable to sleep or feeling like they can’t get out of bed. Sleep becomes less about rest and more about escape, and the disruption only adds to the overall exhaustion they’re feeling. Without proper rest, their ability to cope with everyday stressors diminishes, making challenges feel even bigger.
4. Losing interest in hobbies
The things that once brought joy—whether it’s painting, gaming, or gardening—start to feel like chores. Even thinking about picking up a beloved activity can feel exhausting, and they might convince themselves it’s not worth the effort. That loss of interest often steals small but meaningful sources of happiness, leaving them feeling even more disconnected.
5. Avoiding responsibilities
When someone’s mental health is in decline, everyday responsibilities like paying bills, answering emails, or even opening the mail can pile up. The stress of facing these tasks feels too overwhelming, so they avoid them altogether, even though it adds to their anxiety. Over time, these avoided tasks can snowball into bigger problems that feel impossible to address.
6. Engaging in unhealthy coping mechanisms
Turning to comfort food, excessive drinking, or endless hours of mindless scrolling often becomes a way to numb difficult emotions. While these habits might provide temporary relief, they tend to make things worse in the long run. What starts as a way to cope can quickly become a pattern that’s hard to stop without support or intervention.
7. Struggling with concentration
Tasks that once felt easy—like reading a book or focusing on work—now feel like an uphill battle. Thoughts are scattered, and staying present becomes a challenge. The mental fog often leads to frustration and self-doubt, making even small achievements feel out of reach.
8. Experiencing mood swings
Someone who’s usually calm and collected might suddenly snap over small things or feel irritable for no apparent reason. These mood swings are often a reflection of the internal battle they’re fighting, and they’re not always easy to control. Their emotional unpredictability can strain relationships, leaving them feeling misunderstood or isolated.
9. Becoming overly self-critical
Negative self-talk can take over, with thoughts like “I’m not good enough” or “I’m a burden” becoming constant companions. People in this state often struggle to see their own worth, even when other people try to reassure them. These persistent thoughts can prevent them from getting help, as they convince themselves they don’t deserve it.
10. Feeling detached from reality
When life feels overwhelming, some people cope by disconnecting emotionally. They might go through the motions of their day without really feeling present, like they’re watching their life unfold from a distance. Detachment might provide temporary relief, but over time, it can make them feel even more isolated from the people and things they care about.
11. Procrastinating excessively
Putting off tasks isn’t just about laziness—it can be a way to avoid dealing with stress or fear of failure. For someone whose mental health is declining, procrastination often becomes a default behaviour, even when they know it’s causing more harm than good. Over time, this habit creates a sense of being “behind” in life, adding to their already heavy emotional load.
12. Constantly feeling exhausted
Mental health struggles often come with a sense of never-ending fatigue, no matter how much rest someone gets. The combination of emotional strain and disrupted sleep leaves them feeling drained and unmotivated, even for tasks they once enjoyed. Their exhaustion can become so overwhelming that even small decisions feel like monumental challenges.
13. Over-apologising or avoiding conflict
People with declining mental health might start apologising for things that aren’t their fault or avoiding any situation that could lead to conflict. They’re trying to keep the peace, but it often comes at the expense of their own boundaries and well-being. Over time, this habit can make them feel invisible or unimportant, further tanking their confidence.
14. Feeling numb or overly emotional
Some people swing between feeling nothing at all and being overwhelmed by emotions they can’t control. Such inconsistency can make them feel out of touch with themselves, leading to confusion and frustration about why they can’t “just snap out of it.” These extremes often leave them feeling stuck in a cycle that’s hard to break without understanding and support.
