Everyone goes through ups and downs. It’s part of life – in one month, you may be enjoying the high of a job promotion or a new relationship. The next, it might seem like the world is against you. While it’s expected to go through various emotions, sometimes it can reach a point where it’s no longer normal, and the best step is to seek professional help for your mental health. Here are five signs you have already reached that point. 

1: Your Work Performance is Suffering

If mental health issues are beginning to affect your work performance, it’s definitely time to seek help. This can manifest in several ways. Perhaps you struggle to get on with your co-workers (where once you found no problem with it). You may also find it hard to show up to work in the first place. With your livelihood at stake, you should seek medical help to get to the root cause of the mental health issue and develop a treatment plan that boosts your healing. 

2: You Don’t Know Where to Turn 

If you don’t have someone you can turn to during a crisis, it might be time to seek professional help. There are many different types of help – talking to your doctor is a fantastic first step. There are also communities of people who are going through similar experiences. 

Therapy retreats may be a good idea here. They offer alternative treatments to a group of people who are in the same boat as you. One example is the ketamine therapy in San Diego. Research shows that the controlled treatment of ketamine can improve mental illness, and doing that in a safe, supportive, controlled environment surrounded by people who understand could be the key to mental wellness. It might be the step that changes your life for the better. 

3: Your Relationships are Breaking Down

One of the most common repercussions of poor mental health is the breaking down of relationships. Some mental illnesses like anxiety can make a person more irritable and withdrawn, which can, in turn, lead to the ending of friendships and romantic partners. The last thing you want is to end up isolated, so speak to a professional if you’ve noticed your relationships are suffering. 

4: You Aren’t Sleeping Well 

Sleep is absolutely crucial for your mental and physical wellbeing. It’s the time your body and mind get to rest at the end of the day, and without it, you could end up at a higher risk of certain diseases. If you are really struggling to get a good amount of sleep at night, it’s better to speak to a doctor sooner rather than later. 

5: You’re Leaning on Drugs or Alcohol It’s common for people mentally struggling to develop unhealthy habits. Unfortunately, this can lead to serious addictions. It can start slowly, too, making it even scarier. That glass of wine on a weeknight might lead to a bottle, which may lead to two, and one day, you might not be able to go a whole day without having a drink. If you find yourself slipping into an addiction like this, it’s best to speak to a medical professional before the problem worsens