Why is My Mental Health Getting Worse?

The question is deceptively simple: Why is my mental health getting worse? The answer can be quite complex, and it may involve genetics, events from your past, your physical health, the quality of your relationships, and myriad additional concerns. But don’t let these potential complications prevent you from asking the question and seeking the answers you need. Most importantly, no matter what has been impacting your mental health, never doubt that help is available!

How to Tell if Your Mental Health is Getting Worse

Mental health concerns can affect how you think, feel, behave, and interact with other people. Here are a few ways to tell if your mental health is getting worse:

• You are sleeping much more or much less than usual
• No matter how much sleep you get, you always feel tired
• It can be difficult for you to get out of bed in the morning
• You have been eating much more or much less than you usually do
• You’ve been having trouble focusing and concentrating
• You’ve begun to lose interest in hobbies or other activities that used to be very important to you
• You’ve been overreacting to minor inconveniences or setbacks 
• You’ve been experiencing drastic mood swings for no apparent reason
• You find it difficult or impossible to be happy
• You’ve been pulling away from friends and family members
• None of your hopes, dreams, and goals seem important to you anymore

If any of these signs and symptoms sound familiar to you, you should think about consulting with a therapist, counselor, or other qualified professional. Nothing that’s listed above guarantees that you have a mental health concern – but if you have noticed significant changes, clearly something is amiss. Identifying the source of the problem is the first step toward solving it.

Why is My Mental Health Getting Worse?

If you have been struggling with any of the signs and symptoms listed in the previous section, it’s completely understandable to have questions. What is causing me to feel this way? Why is my mental health getting worse? Is it because of something I have or haven’t done?

These are important questions. But they can be extremely difficult to answer on your own. 

One of the many benefits of talking to a professional is that they can help you identify the issues that may be undermining your mental health. Once you’ve answered the question, “Why is my mental health getting worse?” the professional you’ve been speaking with can help you get over whatever obstacles have been preventing you from feeling better.

Ways to Improve Your Mental Health

If you have developed an anxiety disorder, a depressive disorder, or another mental illness, you need to talk to a professional. But if you’ve simply been feeling a little bit off or not quite yourself, there are a few steps you can take on your own. To improve your mental health, consider the following:

• What can you do to reduce stress in your life? Can you get additional help with a project that’s been weighing heavily on your mind? Can you resolve a conflict with a friend? Can you do a better job of maintaining boundaries with a certain family member?
• Have you been eating healthy foods, or have you been subsisting on whatever bagged meals can be handed to you through a drive-through window? The way you fuel your body can have a strong impact on your emotional well-being.
• Are you getting any exercise? You don’t have to pump massive amounts of iron to reap the mental health benefits of exercise. Something as simple as taking a short walk in the morning (or any other time, for that matter) can yield significant benefits. 
• Who have you been talking to? When you’re not feeling great, you may unintentionally begin to isolate yourself. This can magnify whatever problem you’re experiencing. Having coffee with a friend, exchanging text messages on a regular basis, or even (gasp!) talking on the phone can remind you of the many benefits of sharing time with the people you value.

If making these changes doesn’t improve your mental health, it may be time to talk to a professional.

Types of Treatment for Mental Health

Mental health treatment can take many forms. When you’re seeking care, it’s important to take a moment to learn about the many options that are available to you.

One of the first topics to focus on is level of care. Here are three common levels of care for mental health:

• Inpatient treatment: At this level, you will live at the facility where you’re receiving treatment. Benefits of inpatient care include round-the-clock supervision and the opportunity to focus your full attention on your health.
• Partial hospitalization program (PHP): At the PHP level, you will participate in full days of treatment, but you won’t live at the center. When the treatment day is done, you can return to your home or to an alternative supported residence.
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP): When you’re in an IOP, you will take part in partial days of treatment a few times each week. IOPs offer much more free time than the other two levels do, so you may be able to work part-time or attend classes when the IOP is not in session.

Within each of the levels described above, you may receive a variety of therapies and related support services. Depending on your specific needs, your care could include elements such as the following:

• Individual therapy: This is a confidential, one-on-one discussion with a mental health professional. Individual therapy can be an ideal environment to discuss topics that you may be uncomfortable addressing in a group.
• Group therapy: Groups typically involve a small number of clients who are receiving care, along with one or more professionals. During groups, you can acquire important information about mental illness and recovery. You can also practice communication, problem-solving, and other important skills.
• Family therapy: Family therapy sessions can help your loved ones learn how to best support you during and after your time in treatment. Family therapy can also help you resolve conflicts with the people who mean the most to you.

Begin Treating Your Mental Health Today

Montare at the Valley offers compassionate outpatient treatment for adults whose lives have been disrupted by complex mental health concerns. Our empathetic professionals provide purposeful services in a highly supportive environment. If you can’t understand why your mental health is getting worse, our team is here to help. Contact us today to learn more.