How do I know if I’m ill?

If you find everyday life a struggle

Just like most of us suffer from physical ailments such as colds and stomach ache, it’s also common to experience psychological problems such as stress and anxiety. Especially in conjunction with a difficult life event such as a break-up or moving home. Usually, these problems go away on their own without the need to seek medical attention.

Sometimes, however, the problems can be so severe that you need help. The symptoms can become so unpleasant, prolonged or difficult to manage that you struggle with everyday life. It can also affect the people around you, such as by giving rise to emotional outbursts or trouble performing everyday chores. In this case, the cause could be a psychiatric condition, such as depression, problem gambling or ADHD. Psychiatric conditions are common, and according to the Public Health Agency of Sweden, one in five people in Sweden report having been diagnosed with depression at some point. If you have a psychiatric condition, you may need treatment to help improve your wellbeing.

Knowing what’s “normal” can be difficult. Although most people feel low at times, many find talking about their feelings difficult. This is why it sometimes feels like you’re the only one feeling low even though it’s quite common. In such situations, it can help to talk to people you trust, with whom you can share difficult feelings and experiences.

Tough times don’t necessarily mean you’re ill

Most people feel down at times. And most often, it’s a natural reaction to a difficult life event. This could be a break-up, financial problems or being treated badly. In such cases, it’s common to experience mental suffering without it being classed as a psychiatric condition.

Grief is one such example. Losing someone or something you love can affect your state of mind for a long time. Feeling sad is a natural reaction to a difficult event, and it’s not the same as a psychiatric condition. Occasionally, however, grief can develop into depression. In such cases, you fasten in certain patterns and habits and may need professional help to set things right again. So, if you’ve been feeling low for a long time, you should always seek medical attention.

If you’re going through difficult times, it can be a good idea to seek help and support from those around you. Talking about how you feel and getting help solving problems can make things easier.

When should I seek medical attention?

Contact healthcare services if you’ve been feeling down most of the time for several months. The same applies if you struggle with everyday life, such as performing everyday chores or other things that most people can do without any trouble. Another sign can be that people around you are worried and think you should seek help.

Seek help if you use alcohol, gambling or other destructive behaviours such as self-harm to cope.

Call 1177 for healthcare advice or book an appointment at your healthcare centre. Many people wait too long, suffering unnecessarily even though effective treatment is available.

Reviewed by: Siri Helle, psychologist, author, public speaker.

Last edited 2024-05-08