1. He or she is tired.
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Lack of sleep is a common sign of many psychological problems, including depression or burnout. If you see that your friend is tired (like more than usual, and not just because he or she has been partying three times in the week) do not hesitate to ask him or her if he or she she is fine.
2. He or she is negative.ve
If your friend doesn’t smile anymore, cries often, says demeaning and negative things about him or herself and others, maybe he or she is depressed. Depressed mood is when you have mainly negative emotions (such as sadness, guilt or anger) and few positive emotions. It could mean that something is not right at the moment. And yes, it probably seems obvious, but not all of us are psychology graduates, so it’s good to remember that.
3. He or she seems preoccupied
Your friend doesn’t stop moving in his chair, looks right to left as if a disaster was about to happen, jumps, and yet hasn’t had 10 coffees since the start of the morning: he or she is probably suffering from ‘anxiety. It sounds silly to say, but the visible signs of anxiety are often indicators of significant stress and inner malaise. But what’s cool is that there are plenty of ways to deal with stress and anxiety, like playing sports or seeing a psychiatrist.
4. He or she is in an overly positive and expansive mood
Of course, you’re not going to start worrying about all your friends who are usually cheerful and positive. On the other hand, if one of your friends seems too euphoric, talks at 1000 an hour, thinks he is the new Steve Jobs or becomes completely uninhibited, it is that there is perhaps something something wrong. It’s up to you to stay alert to all of this, especially that he or she does not put himself or herself in danger or in difficulty with risky behaviors (such as substance use, unprotected sex and other not-so-joyful things). .)
5. He or she has difficulty with attention and memory
If the person seems inattentive to you when you talk to him (even though you say super interesting things to him, eh), that he has repetitive forgetfulness and does not retain the information that has been given to him well, it may be linked to anxiety, depression or other psychological disorders. These disorders can take up “too much space” in the head and prevent the brain from being as attentive and focused as usual. Pay attention to it.
6. He or she is aggressive.
This aggressiveness can be directed against others (insults, fights, etc.) as well as against itself, and we think about that less. In this case, there is no point in responding to him with aggression (because afterwards it quickly goes into fistfights, and that is precisely what we want to avoid) or to overwhelm him by lecturing him. . It is better to try to talk to him or her and understand what makes them angry to help them.
7. He or she withdraws into himself and isolates himself
Do you have an acquaintance who no longer responds to messages, no longer comes to parties (or brunches eh, no need to party), and seems to have withdrawn from the world? Either she decided to become a hermit for spiritual reasons, or she is not well and withdraws into herself. It might be a good idea to offer him a fun activity where you won’t have to talk too much to start, just to spend time together without putting pressure on him. It’s the kind of thing that feels good when you’ve isolated yourself a little too much.
8. He or she abuses alcohol or drugs
A heavy consumption of alcohol or drugs is, as you can imagine, rarely a sign that a person is doing like a charm. Never, even. Obviously, we’re not talking about the little birthday or New Year’s binge (and that of Thursday evening, Friday evening, Saturday evening… though?) but about a regular consumption which poses a problem. It can’t always be seen, but if you pay a little attention, you can notice if your friend has a problem with substances.
9. He or she gained or lost a lot of weight in a short time.
You guessed it, rapid weight gain or loss is often linked to eating disorders, but depression can also be the cause (or at least a general malaise). However, discussing the person directly about their body is not recommended because it is a very personal subject. It’s better to tell your buddy that you’re worried about his morale rather than the numbers on his scale.
10. He or she lacks hygiene
Depression can be accompanied by a general letting go. An exhaustion that prevents you from carrying out actions as basic as washing or doing housework. Suddenly, an unusual lack of hygiene in a loved one is most certainly the manifestation of psychological discomfort, and that should alert you. But again, avoid stigmatizing the person (who is already not well) by pointing out that they lack hygiene. Be subtle and offer your help without putting pressure.