 According to statistics, only a small percentage of you who watch our videos are actually subscribed. If you're not subscribed yet and you enjoy what you see, do consider hitting the subscribe button. This encourages YouTube's algorithm in promoting more of our mental health content to more people out there. Hello, Psych2Goers. Are you experiencing changes in your mental health? Whether it's caused by stress or a life-altering event, it's normal to experience shifts in mental health. However, the difference between these changes and a full-blown mental health illness is persistence. In today's society, mental health issues are still stigmatized, but mental health illnesses are more complex than their outward presentations. Before we begin, we'd like to clarify that this video is not meant to be used as a diagnostic, nor is it meant to instill anxiety. The purpose of this article is to hopefully bring awareness to some of the signs of a troubled emotional state. Here are five signs that your mental state might be shifting. Number one, you experience apathy. Are you experiencing a lack of interest in things you used to enjoy? Apathy is a persistent lack of passion. It can cause you to feel disinterested in meeting new people or trying new things, but it can also instill indifference towards things you enjoy. Externally, you may not exhibit many emotions, or the opposite may be true. To make others worry less or avoid stigma, you may feel pressured to be more expressive. However, in the long run, apathy can put a strain on your personal relationships and performance. Number two, you experience dissociation. Another sign of a declining mental state is dissociation. Dissociation takes on many forms such as derealization, depersonalization, and dissociative amnesia. Derealization or depersonalization often feels like you're having an out-of-body experience, or a feeling of being unreal. These, as well as other forms of dissociation, occur because of severe stress. It's your body's way of coping with a distressing event or emotion. Please consult an adult professional if you are experiencing any forms of dissociation. Number three, you withdraw from your friends and family. Social withdrawal can also be a sign of change in your mental state. Of course, you're not obligated to attend social events. It's okay to stay in if you need a break. So this sign is a bit subjective. If you don't usually go out, social withdrawal may just be your usual behavior. A more sure sign is if you actively avoid meeting family or friends because you no longer feel like seeing them. Though social withdrawal does not seem like such an ominous sign, it can put a strain on your potential relationships. Number four, you experience mood changes. One of the most common signs that you might be experiencing mental health instability is mood swings. There will be moments when your emotions might get the best of you. But usually you can regroup and regulate your emotions after a bit. However, if your emotional state is worsening, you may find it difficult to recover. You may feel more sensitive, irritable, or critical. Although your emotional and mental state are not the only things that affect your mood, persistent and drastic changes can point to emotional dysregulation. Emotional dysregulation can cause more stress, trouble sleeping, strain your personal relationships, and worsen depression. And number five, you've developed unhealthy behaviors. Have you developed unhealthy coping mechanisms to numb your emotional stress? For example, frequently skipping meals or engaging in self-harm. Mental strain or distress can cause you to behave differently or out of character. It can cause us to be more agitated, engage in risky activities or behaviorically. If you relate to any of these signs, the best resource is a therapist. We highly encourage you to reach out to them if you ever need help. So, do you relate to any of these signs? We hope this video helps reduce the stigma towards mental illnesses and issues, and brought more awareness to them. Please seek out a mental health professional if you're struggling. Like and share this video with friends that might find some good advice in this video as well. Make sure to subscribe to Psych2Go and hit the notification bell for more new content. All the references used are added in the description box below. Thank you so much for watching, and we'll see you next time.