Minor emotional upsets are as natural as the common cold or headache. And they can strike anyone.
Now and then we all fly off the handle, feel inferior, suffer from guilt. Learning to control our emotions is part of character development.
Many times, emotional and personality problems have little or no ill-effect on a person's actions, thoughts and feelings. But when problems and difficulties continue and the upset feelings keep coming back, behavior may be seriously affected.
When this happens it's helpful to be able to recognize some signs which indicate that some serious trouble may be ahead unless something is done.
Listed below are eleven recognizable signs but it's important to make a SENSIBLE ASSESSMENT. There's no need to rush off to a doctor at the first sign of a headache or vague feeling of being out of sorts with life.
WITHDRAWAL: Being afraid to face the possibility of failure and ,as a result, escaping repeatedly to movies, watching television continuously, drinking excessively, finding responsibilities of marriage, children or work too difficult to face.
BELLIGERENCE: Being quarrelsome...continually or repeatedly... for almost no reason at all.
SELF-CENTEREDNESS: Being unable to share material things, time, friendship or advice with others; putting yourself first and foremost in everything and believing the world revolves around you.
SUSPICION AND MISTRUST: Believing that the world is full of dishonesty, disappointments, obstacles and frustrations and nothing else; trusting no one; feeling that people are waiting for an opportunity to cause difficulty or are out to get you or "take you for a ride".
INSOMNIA: Repeatedly not being able to sleep, permanently tired and slowed down; finding it hard to wake up in the morning even after a good sleep, refusing to get out of bed at the risk of losing employment and neglecting family.
ANXIETY: Worrying excessively about everything, very apprehensive about the future; fearful of any decision, large or small.
DAY DREAMS AND FANTASY: Spending a lot of time imagining how things could be, so that you forget how things really are; blocking out problems that come along, not seeing them, living in another world.
HYPOCHONDRIA: Worrying excessively about minor physical ailments; imagining sickness and ill-health, being certain of suffering from some particular illness which is clearly non-existent.
POOR EMOTIONAL CONTROL:Indulging in frequent temper tantrums; becoming very excitable over matters of little importance, exaggerating angry outbursts beyond reason.
EXCESSIVE MOODINESS: Feeling low and depressed nearly all the time; feeling that nothing is worth doing; even considering taking your own life.
HELPLESSNESS AND DEPENDENCY: Letting others make decisions- even small ones; letting things be done for you; being unable to do things on your own; procrastinating to the point of no return.
There are, as well, physical symptoms and illnesses which are sometimes related to emotional disturbance. These range from migraine headaches to obesity and diabetes.
Remember that just being aware of a sign or two does NOT necessarily mean you are ill. Far from it! For many of the milder symptoms it may be enough to find a sympathetic person to listen: doctor, relative, friend, social worker.
For more serious problems, contact the family doctor. He/she is in the best position to assist and also to make the transfer to a specialist if needed. If it happens that no one is available, then a branch office or a member of your local Mental Health department will help you.
