The 5 Signs

The five signs of suffering are:

• withdrawal
• agitation
• hopelessness
• a decline in personal care
• a change in personality.

Someone may exhibit one or more signs when they are suffering.

Photo Credit: http://www.changedirection.org/

Perhaps you’ve experienced these yourself or have noticed these in a friend or relative. Suffering can come to us in many ways – perhaps a close friend or relative has moved away or died, or perhaps your own mental illness makes life difficult on a day-to-day basis. Being aware of these 5 signs can be a helpful way to realize when you need to seek help or if you should ask a friend if they need help.

The Campaign to Change Direction is a national organization working to reduce stigma and educate people about mental health, mental illness, and wellness. They are hoping to create a movement around compassionate interactions with each other.

Have you experienced these symptoms? Does it help to know that you are not alone? That your symptoms can be addressed?