Mental Health Check: Is There Something Wrong With Me?
When it seems like nothing is going right in our lives, we might stop and wonder, “Is there something wrong with me?” Maybe you have spent a long time feeling stressed, or you’re experiencing a difficult time in your life.
The difficulty of defining “normal”
It can be completely natural to wonder at times if there may be something wrong with you. However, there is nothing wrong with you, no matter what difficulties you may be experiencing. Your feelings are valid, and if you’re experiencing challenges, there is help available to get you through any obstacles you may be facing. If you are facing a mental health challenge, that does not define you, and it is something that you can overcome.
Is there something wrong with me?
There is no set definition of “normal” in mental health. As children, individuals may have been teased or bullied for being “different,” or perhaps they experienced intense pressure from family relatives to be a certain way. As adults, individuals may face challenges with school, work, and relationships due to this “different” disposition. If this becomes a pattern, it may be easy to think something is wrong with you.
However, there is no such thing as “normal.” Every individual is different. According to some researchers, some variability in thoughts and behaviors “can be healthy and even adaptive.” If you feel that something is wrong with you, first consider why you feel that way. Is it because you feel ashamed for something you have no control over? Do you feel you’re not normal because someone judges you or treats you a certain way?
People who bully and belittle others may often have insecurities about themselves, but in reality, they may be secretly wondering what is wrong with them. Unfortunately, expressing negativity has perhaps become their chosen way of dealing with this question. No matter what issues or concerns you may be dealing with, engaging in negative behaviors or making others feel bad most likely won’t make you feel better or help your mental health.
Some individuals may face challenges in their lives because they feel different from what’s considered “normal” in their community. For example, they may be experiencing a mental health condition like depression or bipolar disorder and feel lonely. However, there are many ways that “different” people can manage to successfully live in a world where they can’t fulfill “normal” expectations. There is a community of people out there for everyone who can accept that individual just as they are. Support groups, connecting with a community of like-minded individuals, and therapy may be ways to find a community that you can feel you belong to. Remember, there is help available to support you during the challenges you may be going through.
Child development and mental health
Our childhood experiences may strongly influence our general psychological disposition. One question persists and remains difficult to answer: how much do genes influence child development, and how much is the child’s environment? Some individuals may feel that there may be something wrong with them from childhood. When seeking an explanation in adulthood, they may look to their past for answers. An individual may wonder if there was something in their genetics that they inherited if they see a similar pattern of behavior in one or both parents.
The overall consensus is that our environment and genetics may play a role in who we are. While genes affect our physical and mental disposition (including inherited mental disorders), parenting styles and the home/school/community environment also influence our well-being. Your parents may not be the only ones responsible for who you are and how you feel about yourself.
It’s important to remember, again, that there is nothing wrong with you, and there is help available. It may help to determine some of your feelings’ origins and how to treat them moving forward.
When there may be a mental health issue
If you’re experiencing difficulties in your life or have concerns with your mental health, that doesn’t mean you are not normal, or there is something wrong with you. Maybe you start losing interest in activities you used to love, your moods have become unpredictable, or you feel more easily irritated than before. If you notice these or any other big changes in your thoughts and behaviors, it may be time to seek support to get you back to feeling like yourself.
Just as it can be difficult to define “normal,” it can be equally difficult to define mental health concerns, as they show up differently in different people.
The dangers of self-diagnosis
Today, the internet can be an invaluable resource we often go to for answers. However, self-diagnosing ourselves with physical or mental health concerns can be incredibly dangerous and prevent us from getting the proper help and treatment we need. Only a licensed physician or mental health professional can give you an accurate diagnosis. When a professional properly diagnose you, they may provide treatment plans and options that can get you on the path to overcoming any challenges or concerns you may be facing.
Treatment options
If you’re concerned about your mental health, there is help available. However, please remember, there is nothing wrong with you; you just may need a little support. There are treatment options available, and they can take on many forms to best suit your needs. Here are some treatment options you may want to consider.
Therapy
Professional therapy can be extremely helpful if you’re experiencing mental health concerns. A licensed therapist can provide different therapies and treatment options to help you overcome obstacles you may face. They can provide tools and guidance that may allow you to feel “normal” again and overcome any negative thought patterns you may have.
Support groups
Support groups can be a great resource for individuals facing obstacles in their lives or feeling as though they may be “different.” Support groups create a community of like-minded individuals who may face similar issues. Depending on what challenges you’re experiencing, there is a support group out there for you. You can check online for online support groups or ones within your local community.
Self-help
There are also many things you can do at home that may help you work through the challenges you may be facing. Self-care practices such as journaling, meditation, yoga, improving diet, and practicing mindfulness may all be strategies that can help improve your mental health and overall well-being.
Can a therapist tell me what's wrong with me?
If you feel there may be something wrong with you, it’s important to remember there isn’t, no matter what you’re going through in your life. It may be beneficial to seek support from a professional to help you overcome any difficulties you may be experiencing.
Online mental health professionals
If you think you may have a mental health concern, a mental health professional is here to help. In-person therapy is a common treatment option, but increasingly, online therapy is just as viable. The mental health professionals at Regain can help you work through life’s challenges. Encouragingly, studies show that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy when it comes to treating a wide array of mental health concerns. Online therapy also has the added benefit of offering accessible therapy at a cheaper cost.
Takeaway
Confiding in others may help put you on the path to wellness and help you feel better about yourself. Getting a professional’s perspective may help us see any challenges you may be facing in a new light or help us see them more clearly than we could have on our own. They can provide tools and strategies to improve your overall mental health and well-being so that you can feel like you again.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why do I keep asking myself, "Is there something wrong with me?"
You may sometimes think you’re not meeting the arbitrary requirements to be considered “normal” by yourself or your peers. However, consider what may be making you think of yourself this way. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, you may be experiencing an anxiety disorder that can constantly cause you to worry about your daily actions. There is nothing wrong with you, no matter what you’re experiencing. No matter what you’re feeling, your feelings are valid, and there is support available.
What does it mean when someone says, “what’s wrong with you?”
When someone asks,” What’s wrong with you?” They may be asking a rhetorical question. This individual may be making a joke, or they may be attempting to make you feel insecure about your actions or behavior. It’s important to remember; that there isn’t anything wrong with you. However, if you feel you may be experiencing concerns revolving around your mental health, a mental health professional may help.
How do you know when something is wrong with you?
If you find yourself easily irritable, upset or put down, you should take a step back to evaluate what’s wrong with the situation. While everyone has a bad day on occasion, your symptoms may point to a mental health concern if your feelings begin to affect your daily life and relationships. The National Alliance on Mental Illness lists these symptoms as potential warning signs:
- Excessive worry or fear
- Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning
- Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger
- Changing in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy
- Inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stress
Regardless of what you may be experiencing, there is nothing wrong with you. However, if you feel concerned about your feelings and your life, you may want to seek support from a professional; they can help.
How do you physically comfort yourself?
If you’re going through a difficult time, developing grounding techniques may allow you to work through intense feelings of stress or anxiety. It may help you regain control over your emotions. During a grounding exercise, you can attempt to reconnect with the physical world by acknowledging what your five senses are taking in within that immediate, present moment. Whether it’s running cold water over your hands or listing off what you can hear or smell at that moment, your goal is to describe the world around you to yourself. Even pressing your thumb into each one of your fingers, counting, or saying your ABCs backward while doing so may be able to help take your mind off of the stressful event occurring and instead bring you back to a neutral present.
How do I calm myself down?
Suppose you’re experiencing a difficult moment of upset or stress. In that case, it may help to discover self-soothing techniques to calm yourself down, as there may not always be a therapist readily available. Instead, you can consider turning to healthy and comforting ways to practice self-care. It may help to start by attempting to identify what’s wrong at that moment – if talking yourself through the event doesn’t help, try a few of these simple solutions to calm yourself.
- Stretch– stand up, flex your muscles, reach your limbs out, and relax your joints. Is your jaw clenched? Are your shoulders tight? Stretching can help alleviate feelings of stress and anxiety.
- Meditate– Meditation is a practice that focuses on calming and recentering your mind. If you’re unfamiliar with a good way to meditate, find a video or podcast that can help you meditate through the moment.
- Move with Light Exercise – a few jumping jacks, pushups, or even jumping in place may help reduce stress. This kind of movement can get your blood flowing and works out pinched or tight muscles.
- Try a Few Breathing Exercises–Being familiar with breathing exercises may be a good way to ground yourself at the moment and pause a stressful situation. Whether it’s controlling your breathing, trying the alternate nostril technique, or several other methods you can find online or from your therapist, these techniques can give you a way to reduce your heart rate and relax.
- Take a Shower – While the running stigma may be that you have all your best ideas in the shower, you also have the chance to reset. If you’re at home and need a moment to calm down, stepping into the shower can feel cleansing and rejuvenating.
- Listen to a Soothing Soundtrack– Your soothing soundtrack doesn’t have to be smooth jazz or ocean wave sounds. It could be your favorite movie soundtrack or a playlist from a friend. It may help to choose songs that help you feel relaxed and connect you with a good feeling.
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