Rough Patch or Something More? Signs of Four Common Conditions

If you’ve been quietly wondering whether what you’re feeling is a rough patch or something worth mentioning to someone, you’re in very ordinary company. Wondering is already a sensible first step, and this guide is here to make the next one feel smaller.

A note before we start. This is general information, and only a health professional can tell you whether you have a particular condition. If you or someone near you is in immediate danger, call 000. If you need to talk to someone right now, Lifeline is on 13 11 14, any time of day.

Why a list of signs can help, and where it stops

Most of us are good at pushing through. We keep going, we say we’re fine, and a hard few weeks slides into a hard few months before anyone, including us, has named it. A list of signs can give you words for something you’ve been carrying without any.

The ABS National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, which ran from 2020 to 2022, found that mental disorders are common in Australia, with anxiety disorders the most commonly reported group. So if any of what follows sounds familiar, it doesn’t make you unusual.

Three questions help in every case. How long has this been going on? How strong is it? And is it getting in the way of work, sleep, relationships or things you used to enjoy? A feeling that lasts a few days and eases is usually part of life. A feeling that sticks, grows or starts to take over your days is worth a conversation.

Anxiety

Everyone gets anxious before a big meeting or the night before something important. Anxiety becomes a different thing when it’s persistent and hard to switch off, and when it begins to shape what you do.

You might notice:

• worrying about lots of things at once, including things that are unlikely to happen
• a racing heart, a tight chest, sweaty palms or feeling light-headed
• feeling on edge and unable to relax
• steering clear of places or situations because of how they make you feel

Anxiety disorders come in several forms, including generalised anxiety, panic disorder and social anxiety. Common treatments include talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and sometimes medication if a doctor recommends it. If you find yourself wondering how everyday things like coffee, sugar or skipped meals play into how you feel, we’ve put together a gentle look at foods linked with anxiety and panic, which is worth reading alongside, not instead of, talking to a professional.

Depression

Depression is more than feeling sad or having a bad day. It’s a low mood, emptiness or hopelessness that lasts, often for weeks or longer, and it tends to change how you eat, sleep and think.

You might notice:

• losing interest in things you used to enjoy, like hobbies or seeing people
• feeling tired even after a good night’s sleep
• eating or sleeping much more or much less than usual
• feeling worthless, guilty or like a burden to others

If those feelings stay for a couple of weeks or more, or they’re making ordinary days hard, it’s time to talk to someone. It’s okay if the thoughts feel heavy or hard to say out loud. If they ever include thoughts of harming yourself, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 000 straight away.

Sleep and mood tend to pull on each other, and some people find it useful to look at screen habits late at night while they’re getting other support. There’s more on that in our piece on how screens affect attention and sleep. It’s a small thing alongside treatment rather than a replacement for it.

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder involves marked swings in mood and energy that go well beyond ordinary ups and downs. The swings include highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression), and they can last days, weeks or longer.

You might notice, during a high:

• feeling unusually energetic or confident
• talking quickly, racing thoughts or impulsive decisions
• needing much less sleep without feeling tired

And during a low:

• deep sadness, little energy and no interest in daily life
• irritability or feeling agitated as the mood shifts

Bipolar disorder is a long-term condition, and with the right treatment and support people can and do live full lives. Treatment usually combines medication with therapy, and it’s managed with a doctor or psychiatrist. If swings like these are affecting your work or relationships, or someone close to you has noticed them, see your GP soon. If anyone’s safety is at risk, call 000.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Many of us have habits or rituals. OCD is different because the thoughts and behaviours take up so much time and distress that they interfere with everyday life.

You might notice:

• unwanted thoughts that keep coming back and cause distress, such as worrying that a door is unlocked or that something has been left on
• repeating actions to ease that worry, like checking, washing or counting
• avoiding places or objects that set off the thoughts

OCD is often treated with CBT, and in particular a form called exposure and response prevention (ERP), sometimes along with medication. It’s not about being neat or particular, and it’s not a character flaw.

What a first GP visit can look like

Your GP is the usual first step for all of these, and it doesn’t need to be a big conversation. A few things might help:

• Jot down what you’ve noticed, when it started and how it’s affecting you. Plain words are fine.
• Say what worries you most, even if it feels awkward.
• Ask what the options are, including referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist.

A GP can talk through what you’ve described, rule out physical causes, and work out a plan with you. In some cases that includes a mental health treatment plan, which may make you eligible for Medicare rebates on sessions with a psychologist. Your GP can tell you whether that applies to you.

If you’re supporting someone else, you don’t need to diagnose anything. Saying “I’ve noticed you’ve seemed low lately, and I’m here” is a good start, and offering to sit with them while they book an appointment can make the step feel manageable.

A gentle next step

You don’t have to work out which box your feelings fit into before you reach out. That’s what the professional is for. If something here sounded like you or someone you love, the one thing to do this week is book a GP appointment, and write three lines on a page to take with you. If it feels too much today, Lifeline on 13 11 14 is there while you work up to it.

Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics, National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2020 to 2022 (https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/latest-release); Beyond Blue, information on anxiety, depression and treatment (https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/anxiety/types-of-anxiety); Black Dog Institute, information on depression and bipolar disorder (https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/); Healthdirect Australia, mental health information (https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/healthcare-and-services/mental-health/mental-health-treatment-plan); Lifeline Australia, 13 11 14 (https://www.lifeline.org.au/)