10 secret phrases people dealing with mental health issues say when they need help
People who struggle with emotional trauma or other mental health issues rarely ask for help.
That’s not because they don’t realize they need it, but because it’s unthinkably difficult to admit you are a victim of your own mind.
Instead of directly voicing their problems and seeking help, these people use secret phrases, hoping that someone out there will understand their pain.
Here are 10 phrases the ones suffering from emotional issues will use when they need your help:
1. “I’m tired.”
When someone says they are tired, they might actually admit they are emotionally exhausted. This is their way of telling you they are struggling. They often use it in situations where they prefer to stay home in the comfort of their own company. That’s because they are afraid that being surrounded by people would only make them feel even more lonely. In case they are often tired throughout the day, they might have sleeping difficulties, which might also be interpreted as a silent call for help.
2. “I can’t sleep.”
Oftentimes, people struggling with mental health issues find it hard to fall asleep at night. They get so caught up in overthinking their problems that they stay awake for hours until they can close their eyes. They are so deeply overwhelmed that no matter what they do, they just can’t get enough sleep. If someone tells you they can’t fall asleep at night, they might be trying to see if you can listen to their problems and help them overcome them.
3. “I don’t feel good.”
These words don’t necessarily mean that the one saying them is feeling physically ill. They might hide a deeper meaning revealing that this person is struggling with emotional issues such as anxiety, depression, or severe stress. However, being vocal about such serious mental health problems is incredibly difficult, so saying that they don’t feel good might be this person’s way of telling you they need help.
4. “It’s just one of those days.”
This can often be translated to, “I could use some help today.” People who have experience in coping with mental health disorders know that not all days are great. That’s why they use similar phrases to indicate that their day might not be as good as the one before. During that time, they can be alarmingly quiet, easily distracted, or worryingly depressed as they go by their usual daily routine.
5. “I can’t think right now.”
Anyone who knows what it’s like to battle severe emotional issues knows how overwhelming it is to vocally express them. In the process, they get so caught up in the chaos of thoughts and feelings in their minds that they prefer not to think about anything, just to be able to rest for a while. During such difficult periods, all they need is a distraction that will help them clear their headspace.
6. “Can I call you?”
Sometimes all you need while battling your own demons is to have a chat with someone who would actually listen. In such moments, being heard can help a lot. Having someone to talk to while coping with personal hardships gives you hope that someone out there truly cares.
7. “I can’t deal with this right now.”
Getting overwhelmed or frustrated with something, even when it needs to be done right away, can make some people back down. In their heads, they believe they are not good enough to handle the situation on their own. That’s why they say this phrase to let you know that if you could help them, they would gladly persevere.
8. “I have a headache (again).”
Whenever someone doesn’t want to bother others with their personal drama, they often make up excuses for their odd behavior. Saying they have a headache is one of the most common ones. If someone you know uses this excuse too often, they might need you to check in on them.
9. “I need to lay down.”
If you have suffered from mental health issues, then you know painfully well that there are some moments when you cannot do anything else but lay down and wait for the emotional chaos in your mind to disappear. Even if you feel safe in the company of the people around you, this is something you can’t always have the strength to control. If someone tells you they need to lay down, let them do so and just keep them company. Knowing that someone is watching over them will help them cope up with this unpleasant episode much faster.
10. “I’m fine.”
This has turned into a no brainer. Whenever someone says they’re fine, or that everything is okay, it means they are not fine and everything is definitely not okay. This phrase is usually an answer people use when they don’t want to bother others with the difficulties they are struggling with. However, bottling up the negative emotions can turn into an even bigger mental health issue, so if someone tells you they’re okay, try to be more thoughtful and ask them what’s really going on.