1.5 Identify the effects that experiencing a mental health problem might have on an individual

This guide will help you answer 1.5 Identify the effects that experiencing a mental health problem might have on an individual.

A mental health problem can touch many parts of a person’s life. This impact can be seen in how a person feels, thinks, behaves, and relates to others. The effects can be temporary or last a long time, and they often reach into every area of daily life and wellbeing. In this guide, we will look at the common ways mental health problems can affect individuals.

Emotional Effects

Mental health problems often change how a person feels on a day-to-day basis. Emotions may come and go suddenly, or they might stay for long periods.

Common emotional effects include:

• Feeling sad or hopeless. Someone with depression might think things will never get better.
• Anxiety or fear. Worry and unease can make it hard for people to relax. Some might feel panic without a clear reason.
• Anger or irritability. People may have less patience and may react strongly to small annoyances.
• Guilt or shame. They might blame themselves for their mental health problem or for things outside their control.
• Low self-esteem. Self-value or confidence can drop. People may start to believe that they are less important or unable to cope.

These feelings can be overwhelming and might affect motivation to do everyday tasks.

Cognitive Effects

Mental health problems do not just affect emotions. They often change the way people think and process information.

Cognitive (thinking-related) effects may include:

• Difficulty concentrating. People may find it hard to focus on tasks at work, school, or home.
• Memory problems. Forgetfulness and confusion can trouble someone who is struggling with their mental health.
• Negative thought patterns. Some might develop a habit of thinking the worst will happen, or they might expect failure.
• Indecisiveness. Making choices, even simple ones, can feel exhausting or impossible.
• Paranoia or mistrust. Some people may worry that others are out to harm them, even when there is no clear reason.

If these problems happen often, they can affect many other parts of life, such as learning or working.

Behavioural Effects

A mental health problem can lead to noticeable changes in behaviour. These changes are often how friends, family, or colleagues first realise something is wrong.

Behavioural changes might include:

• Withdrawing from social activities or isolating themselves at home.
• Finding it hard to keep up with personal care, such as washing or dressing.
• Changes to eating and sleeping habits, such as eating more or less than usual, or sleeping too much or not enough.
• Having trouble sticking to routines or managing time.
• Using drugs, alcohol, or other substances to cope with distressing feelings.

Some people might act in risky ways or break rules, even if they did not do this before. For example, someone with bipolar disorder during a manic episode might spend large sums of money or act without thinking about the risks.

Physical Effects

Mental health problems can cause symptoms in the body. Some of these effects are obvious, while others are more hidden.

Physical effects might include:

• Tiredness, even after sleeping.
• Headaches or migraines.
• Stomach upset or digestive problems, such as nausea or diarrhoea.
• Muscle aches and tension.
• Noticeable changes in weight, either gain or loss.

Some people may develop long-term health conditions as a result, such as ulcers or heart problems. Anxiety may cause fast heartbeats or shortness of breath. The stress from mental health problems can weaken the immune system, making people more likely to get physical illnesses.

Social Effects

Mental health problems can make it much harder to connect with others or keep relationships healthy.

Possible social effects include:

• Struggle to keep friendships or stay in touch with family.
• Finding it challenging to join in at school, work, or social groups.
• Feeling alone or rejected, even when people are not being unkind.
• Avoidance of social situations because of fear, shame or tiredness.

Not being able to socialise can increase loneliness. This might make the mental health problem even worse, leading to a cycle that can be hard to break.

Effects on Work and Education

Mental health can strongly affect how someone manages work or studies.

Potential effects include:

• Difficulty keeping up with work tasks or deadlines.
• Frequent sick days or absence because of mental or physical symptoms.
• Trouble following instructions or managing workload.
• Poor attendance or reduced performance in school, college, or training.
• Lack of career progress, or job loss linked to symptoms.

For example, anxiety may make it hard to speak up in meetings. Depression can affect concentration and energy, so work tasks take much longer.

Effects on Daily Living

Everyday life can become a struggle for those with mental health problems. The basic activities that most people take for granted may become hard or impossible.

Daily living effects may include:

• Difficulties with cooking, cleaning, shopping, or looking after money.
• Neglecting personal hygiene, leading to health risks.
• Not keeping up with other important responsibilities, like parenting or paying bills.
• Needing help from carers, family, or support services.

If mental health symptoms are severe, a person may need support with decisions about their care or living arrangements.

Self-Harm and Suicide Risk

Some mental health problems can increase the risk of self-harm or thoughts of suicide. Self-harm involves hurting oneself on purpose. Examples include cutting or burning the skin, hitting oneself, or taking dangerous risks.

People might self-harm to cope with emotions or to feel a sense of control. In some cases, a person may talk about wanting to die, or they may make plans to take their own life.

Warning signs can include:

• Talking about death or suicide.
• Loss of interest in the future.
• Giving away belongings.
• Sudden changes in mood.

Taking any signs of self-harm or suicidal thoughts very seriously and offering compassionate support is vital.

Stigma and Discrimination

Stigma means negative attitudes or beliefs about people because of their mental health. Discrimination is unfair treatment based on mental health status.

Effects of stigma and discrimination:

• Fear of being judged or rejected.
• Hiding symptoms or avoiding help because of shame.
• Fewer opportunities at work or in education.
• Poor treatment in health or social care settings.
• Withdrawal from society for fear of how others will react.

Experiencing stigma adds to distress. It can delay recovery and reduce self-esteem.

Loss of Independence

Some people with severe mental health problems may lose their independence. They may not be able to make safe decisions about their own lives or care for themselves in the way they would like.

Examples include:

• Being unable to manage personal finances safely.
• Relying on family, friends, or professionals for daily tasks.
• Needing hospital treatment or supervised living.

Loss of independence can lead to feelings of frustration or sadness. It might change relationships and affect identity and self-worth.

Legal and Financial Problems

Mental health problems can sometimes lead to contact with the law, such as:

• Problems paying bills or managing money, leading to debt.
• Struggles to keep a job, resulting in financial hardship.
• Involvement with the police if behaviour becomes risky.

Having a mental health problem should not mean someone is blamed for these challenges. Good support can reduce these risks.

Impact on Physical Health Conditions

Mental health and physical health are closely linked. Symptoms of poor mental health may make it harder to look after physical health, causing:

• Delay in seeking treatment for other illnesses.
• Forgetting to take prescribed medication.
• Poor diet or lack of exercise.

In some cases, mental health problems can make physical health worse, and vice versa. For example, people with long-term conditions like diabetes or asthma may find their symptoms become harder to manage if they develop depression.

Impact on Identity and Life Goals

A mental health problem may affect how an individual sees themselves and what they hope for in the future.

Common effects involve:

• Questioning personal identity or sense of self.
• Loss of confidence in abilities and strengths.
• Changing views about what is possible in life, relationships, or work.
• Feeling ‘different’ or like an outsider.

The person may put plans on hold or feel they can no longer aim for their goals.

Impact on Family Life

Mental health problems do not only affect the individual. Family members and those close to the person may struggle, too.

This might involve:

• Stress or worry about the person’s wellbeing or safety.
• Extra caring responsibilities for partners, children, or parents.
• Strain on relationships.
• Children being affected by a parent’s symptoms or needs.

Family members may need support for their own health and wellbeing, not just help for the person with the mental health problem.

Positive Effects

It is fair to mention that, in rare cases, experiencing a mental health problem can lead to some positive changes, once recovery or management starts.

• Increased empathy for others.
• Better understanding of personal limits.
• Improved coping strategies overtime.
• Building stronger relationships through shared support.

Recovery stories can sometimes inspire hope and new purpose, but this should never be taken to mean mental health challenges are easy or helpful when happening.

Final Thoughts

Mental health problems affect many aspects of life. They can change how a person feels, thinks, acts, and relates to others. The impacts can be emotional, cognitive, behavioural, physical, social, financial, and legal. Relationships, work, daily living and identity may all be affected. Stigma, discrimination, and loss of independence add to the difficulties.

The best support recognises the full range of these effects. Signposting to services, showing empathy, and encouraging self-care can help people manage and move forwards. It is important to treat each person as an individual and never make assumptions about their abilities or needs.