How Do I Know If I Am Mentally Unwell?

You’re holding it all together. You show up for work, text back in group chats, maybe even squeeze in a yoga class or two. From the outside? You’re doing fine. But something feels off. You’re exhausted in a way sleep doesn’t fix. You can’t shake the tension. The smallest things set you off, and sometimes, the silence feels deafening.

Mental health struggles don’t always show up in loud or obvious ways. Sometimes, they whisper. And those whispers matter.

Signs You Might Be Struggling Mentally

You don’t need a formal diagnosis or to hit “rock bottom” to validate that something is hard. But here are some signs that might be worth paying attention to:

1. You’re functioning… but it’s draining

Maybe you’re still doing all the things like: showing up to work, taking care of your family, even smiling at social events. But it’s taking everything out of you. You crash the minute you’re alone.

2. You feel disconnected from yourself

You don’t feel like you. You’re going through the motions. The things that once brought you joy now feel like tasks on a never-ending to-do list.

3. You’re overwhelmed, irritable, or numb

You snap easily, or maybe you feel nothing at all. Your emotions feel too big or too far away.

4. You’re stuck in loops of overthinking

You can’t stop replaying conversations, second-guessing every decision, or imagining worst-case scenarios.

5. You’re withdrawing from people and things

You cancel plans more often. Find excuses to not do things. You dread the phone ringing. You don’t want to talk, but you also don’t want to be alone.

6. Your body is speaking up

Your sleep is off. You’re constantly tired. Headaches, stomach issues, or tension in your neck and shoulders are everyday visitors.

These signs don’t always scream “mental illness.” But they are signals. And your body and mind are trying to get your attention.

You Don’t Need a Crisis to Get Support

One of the biggest myths about mental health? That you have to be in crisis to reach out. Therapy isn’t just for falling apart, it’s for holding yourself together.

At Better Minds Counseling & Services, we work with folks who are used to doing it all on their own. You don’t need to have a diagnosis or a breakdown to start therapy. You just need to be curious about what life could feel like with a little more ease.

3 Things You Can Do On Your Own Right Now

1. Start tracking your emotional check-ins
   Ask yourself daily: “How am I really feeling today?” No fixing, no judging. Just noticing. A great app I tell my clients to use is “How We Feel” (free app to download and track your feelings).

2. Say “no” once this week
   Notice where you’re over-extending yourself. Saying no is a form of self-trust. It takes something off your plate for the time being.

3. Write down what’s been feeling heavy
   Putting it on paper can help get it out of your head and make it easier to spot patterns.

5 Ways a Therapist Can Help

Let’s say you’re noticing some of those signs. Here’s what therapy can offer:

1. Naming what you’re feeling
   Sometimes you just need a space where someone helps you make sense of what’s going on beneath the surface. It is challenging to do this on your own especially if you don’t even know how you are feeling.

2. Unpacking old patterns
   Why do you always overthink? Why does rest feel so uncomfortable? Therapy can help uncover the why and rewrite the script.

3. Learning tools that actually work
   Coping skills, boundary-setting, calming your nervous system… tailored to you, not just a one-size-fits-all list.

4. Getting unstuck
   When your brain feels like a hamster wheel, therapy can help break the loop and create space for clarity.

5. Reconnecting to your values and identity
   Mental health is more than just symptom management—it’s about feeling like you again.

If you’ve been wondering whether you’re mentally unwell, you’re already doing something brave: paying attention. You don’t have to wait for things to get worse. Therapy isn’t just for “other people.” It’s for you, too.

You deserve a life that doesn’t feel like survival mode.

Ready to start?
At Better Minds Counseling & Services, we provide online therapy to clients across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. Whether you're burnt out, overwhelmed, or just not feeling like yourself, we're here to help.