May is mental health awareness month. Do you know the symptoms, which are warning signs of a mental health issue? They can affect how you think, feel, and behave, and they can vary in intensity and duration. Chances are you know some of them but others may surprise you. Recognizing the warning signs can help you seek help early and manage your mental health effectively.

There are emotional, physical, behavioral, and cognitive symptoms. Emotional symptoms often influence your overall mood and outlook on life. Physical symptoms are often a response to emotional stress. Behavioral symptoms can be signs of underlying mental health issues. And cognitive symptoms can impact daily functioning and productivity.

The following is an extensive list of the more common signs: -Persistent sadness or depression, -Excessive fears or worries, -Extreme mood changes, -Irritability or anger, -Feelings of guilt or worthlessness, -Changes in sleep patterns, -Unexplained aches and pains, -Significant weight changes (gain or loss), -Fatigue or low energy, -Changes in appetite, -Withdrawing from social activities, -Changes in daily habits or routines, -Increased use of alcohol or drugs, -Neglecting personal hygiene, -Engaging in risky behaviors, -Difficulty concentrating or focusing, -Memory problems or forgetfulness, -Persistent negative thoughts, -Thoughts of self-harm or suicide, -Decline in performance at work or school, -Struggling to cope with daily stress, -Feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities, -Avoiding activities that were once enjoyable, -Severe anxiety or panic attacks, -Social isolation or loneliness, -Frequent crying spells, -Sudden changes in behavior or personality, -Difficulty managing anger, -Hallucinations or delusions, -Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness, -Rapid or dramatic shifts in emotions, -Paranoia or excessive suspiciousness, -Emotional numbness or detachment, -Unresolved past trauma, -Obsessive thinking or compulsive behaviors, -Trouble understanding or relating to people, -Difficulty making decisions, -Decline in personal care or grooming, -Extreme fatigue or low energy levels, -Physical symptoms without medical explanation, -Chronic irritability or agitation, -Inability to carry out daily activities, -Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, -Fear of leaving the house or engaging in social activities, -Difficulty maintaining relationships, -Feeling disconnected from reality, -Suicidal thoughts or behaviors, -Severe mood swings, -Excessive anger or hostility, -Persistent nightmares or flashbacks, -Delusions or irrational thoughts, -Inability to experience pleasure, -Excessive guilt or self-blame, -Severe restlessness or inability to relax, -Persistent feelings of worthlessness, -Overwhelming fear or dread, -Recurrent intrusive thoughts, -Persistent feelings of inadequacy.

If you or a friend or family member are experiencing a number of these symptoms it may be time to reach out for help. There are different types of help available. You may only need to talk to a trusted friend or family member. You may need to talk to a therapist. Or you could try talking to a peer support specialist(PSS). A PSS can listen to your concerns and help you work through what is happening with you. Together We Can, located at 8 West Church Street, has 2 state certified peer support specialists who are available to do just that. You can stop in our office after 1:00pm Monday-Friday, or you can call 515-391-3233. We would be more than happy to work with you.

Mental health is very critical in your overall well-being. Don’t ignore it. Reach out now. Once you start working on the issues and start noticing the improvement you will be glad you did.

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Becky Brown and Deb Williams are the cofounders of Together We Can, a mental health nonprofit based in Marshalltown.