New research suggests 83% of British people wish they had sought help for their mental health issues sooner. The same study also highlighted that a third of people experiencing mental health issues who are in employment say they aren't open about their mental health condition in the workplace. Although help can be given at any stage of a mental health illness, just like any illness, it's generally thought that the earlier someone experiencing symptoms gets help or treatment, the better. According to Mental Healthcare, a number of research studies have reported the longer people go without treatment, the harder it is to start the process of recovery.
Terry Rubenstein, author, director and co-founder of the Innate Health Centre in London discovered her own psychological health after years of mental suffering. It can be tough to identify when you need help, as she explains:
"As human beings, we are essentially like fish in fishbowl when it comes to our own psychology. What looks normal to us can greatly lack perspective. As the physicist, David Bohm said: 'Thought creates our reality and then says I didn't do it.' Therefore it makes sense that human beings would miss vital signs when they're not feeling well and attribute blame to circumstances and life events as a reason for their off balance behaviour."
Here, she explains how to recognise when something isn't quite right and how to get help:
Know the most common symptoms
"Feelings of lethargy, a lack of motivation, a change in appetite, extremely low mood, high levels of chronic anxiety and disconnect, are signs to look out for in regards to depression. In terms of anxiety, it's normal to feel anxious, but when these become chronic and intensify in to panic attacks, it's a sign you might need help."
Look for patterns in your own personal behaviour (and subsequent changes)
"With bipolar disorder, we aim to educate people to be more sensitive to their mood rather than be influenced by the content of their thinking. When people begin to enter a manic state, their thoughts convince them they are fine and they lack perspective. We educate people to recognise the difference between healthy feelings and manic or low feelings. The edge and high of mania can be differentiated from a feeling of wellbeing/joy. Once people began to recognise and catch on to this 'manic feeling,' it's a red light to them to ignore the compelling thoughts, and allows the person to have more perspective and get help if needed."
Don't be embarrassed about getting help
"We believe no one is beyond help and have seen that, when people get the right help, they can recover to live functional lives. We have seen no exceptions, providing the person wants help and is forthcoming in receiving it. Contacting your GP can be a first step but I would encourage people not to be disheartened if previous methodology did not work for them as the field is changing and advancing radically."
"Don't panic. Pick up the phone and ask for help. There is help available. We see spectacular results on a daily basis in our own Centre with people really suffering and finding peace of mind and stability in their own state of mind. The worse thing someone can do in this instance is isolate themselves."