Five Signs It May Be Time to Talk to Someone

Everyone has bad days.

We worry about money. We lose people we love. Work becomes overwhelming. Relationships change. Sometimes we simply wake up feeling like we're carrying more than usual.

Most of the time, those feelings eventually ease. But sometimes they don't.

One of the hardest questions can be knowing when ordinary stress, sadness or worry has become something worth discussing with a mental health professional.

There isn't a single test that provides the answer. But there are signs that may indicate it's time to talk to someone.

Everyone worries occasionally. Anxiety can be different.

You may find yourself worrying even when there isn't an immediate problem—or repeatedly imagining everything that could go wrong. Perhaps you know logically that your fears are unlikely, but you still can't seem to turn them off.

Anxiety can also become physical. Some people experience a racing heart, muscle tension, stomach problems, headaches, restlessness or difficulty concentrating.

When worry begins interfering with work, relationships, sleep or everyday activities, it may be worth discussing with a healthcare professional.

A few restless nights aren't unusual, particularly during stressful periods.

But persistent changes in sleep can sometimes accompany mental health concerns.

Maybe you lie awake for hours because your mind won't stop racing. Perhaps you wake repeatedly throughout the night. Or the opposite may happen—you find yourself sleeping much longer than usual but still don't feel rested.

Anxiety, depression and stress can all affect sleep, and poor sleep can make emotional difficulties even harder to manage.

Because sleep problems can also have physical causes, persistent changes should be discussed with a healthcare provider rather than automatically assuming they're caused by stress or mental health.

Think about the things that normally make you happy.

Maybe it's fishing, attending church, spending time with your grandchildren, working in the garden, watching your favorite television program or simply having coffee with friends.

Now imagine gradually losing interest in all of them.

A persistent loss of interest or pleasure in activities you previously enjoyed can be a symptom of depression, particularly when it occurs alongside sadness, fatigue, changes in sleep or appetite, difficulty concentrating or feelings of hopelessness.

Sometimes the change happens gradually enough that the person experiencing it doesn't immediately recognize it.

There are times when everybody gets behind on laundry, ignores a sink full of dishes or puts off returning a phone call.

The concern is when ordinary responsibilities consistently begin to feel impossible.

Getting out of bed may require tremendous effort. Going to work may feel overwhelming. Bills pile up because opening the envelopes seems like too much. You may begin avoiding friends and family because you don't have the energy to interact with anyone.

When emotional difficulties start interfering with the ability to function from day to day, asking for help can be an important step.

Sometimes the people around us recognize changes before we do.

A spouse might notice that you've become unusually withdrawn. A friend may ask why you don't come around anymore. A coworker might notice that you seem distracted or irritable.

One comment doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong.

But if several people who know you well begin expressing concern—or if someone you trust tells you that you don't seem like yourself—it may be worth paying attention.

There's a common misconception that counseling or behavioral health care is only for someone experiencing a serious mental health crisis.

It isn't.

People seek help for anxiety, depression, grief, relationship difficulties, work stress, major life changes, trauma and countless other reasons. Some people simply realize that the strategies they've always used to cope aren't working as well anymore.

You also don't need to know exactly what's wrong before making an appointment.

That's part of what the first conversation is for.

A behavioral health professional can listen to what you're experiencing, help determine what may be happening and discuss possible next steps. Depending on an individual's needs, care might include counseling, lifestyle changes, medication management or a combination of approaches.

For people living in rural communities, another barrier has traditionally been distance.

Someone might recognize that they need help but hesitate when getting that help means driving an hour or more, taking time away from work or arranging transportation.

Telehealth has changed that for many Kentuckians.

Behavioral health appointments can often be conducted securely from home, making ongoing care easier to fit into everyday life.

And perhaps most importantly, you don't have to wait until you're at your breaking point.

Sometimes saying "I think I need to talk to someone" is enough reason to start the conversation.

Fresh Start Health provides behavioral and mental health care throughout Kentucky through secure telehealth services.

Care may include counseling and therapy, psychiatric care, medication management when appropriate, and treatment for co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions. Fresh Start Health also provides primary care and addiction treatment, allowing different aspects of a patient's healthcare to be coordinated.

Fresh Start Health has locations in Morehead, Ashland, Grayson and Vanceburg, with behavioral health telehealth services available across Kentucky.

Most visits are covered by Kentucky Medicaid and many commercial insurance plans.

To learn more or schedule an appointment, call (606) 225-8200 or visit freshstarthealth.com.

This sponsored feature is part of The Morehead Minute's Community Health Spotlight. It is provided for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In an immediate emergency, call 911.