What is rock bottom, and is it a place everyone visits at least once? The term is commonly used when speaking of someone with an addiction, but you don’t need to have a dependence issue to go to this dark place.
Yet, an article on Psych Central states that not everyone will hit this point of desperation.
For those who’ve experienced low blows in life, they remember all too well the pain and heartache that comes from hitting the lowest places. Is there any way to tell if you or your friend is about to hit rock bottom? If you see the warning signs, you can get help before things get too bad.
It’s in these times of desperation that people make silly mistakes. Have you ever tried to self-medicate or spent all your savings to try to make yourself feel better? Think of your brain like a rubber band.
How often did you fling rubber bands across the room in a school or snap one of your brothers or sisters? If you’ve done this a time or two, you also know that rubber bands can break with too much pressure. So, just like your mind, if you keep stretching things until it’s worn thin, it will eventually break.
Twelve Warning Signs Someone Is Close to Hitting Rock Bottom
1. Hygiene Fails When You Near Rock Bottom
One of the first indications that something is wrong with a person is that their hygiene fails. Part of this can be due to depression that almost always accompanies the place called wit’s end. Shonah Wootton shared her powerful story about her journey through depression on The Mighty.
She encourages others who had walked in dark places, as she remembers times when she didn’t brush her teeth for over a month. Much of the world gets out of bed, brushes their teeth, takes a shower, and heads to work. However, those suffering from depression and finding themselves in pits of despair might have trouble getting up in the morning.
If you feel like it’s a significant chore to take care of your body, it’s a sign that you’re nearing rock bottom and need help.
2. Feeling Hopeless and Helpless
Everyone has problems, but sometimes you feel like there’s no way to escape the issues that have you bound. When those feelings of hopelessness and helplessness flood your mind, getting help is essential. According to Suicide Awareness Voices Of Education, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in this country.
Additionally, one person will die every 11 seconds by taking their life. This year, 48,500 Americans will die from suicide. Depression is usually behind this desperate act, and it’s an indication you’ve hit rock bottom.
3. Alienating the Inner Circle
It’s hard to keep cool and say all the right things when you’re not in a good place. You may snap at a friend or loved one without meaning to do so, but you feel so horrible you will lash out at anyone. One of the signs that you’re spiraling out of control is that you start to alienate those around you.
4. Physical Illness
Do you always have headaches, your stomach bothers you, you seem to frequent the bathroom, and you just have a general feeling of being unwell? When you’re fighting feelings of helplessness, it can have a significant impact on your psyche. If you’ve been to the doctor and they found nothing wrong with you, it’s a sign that you’re breaking down.
Your mind, body, and spirit are connected. So, you will suffer mentally when you’re not doing well physically or spiritually.
5. Job Woes
Do you seem to be having problems at work? It can affect your job if things aren’t going well with you. Do you tend to call off more so these days, or is your performance lackluster? You may have been written up for these issues.
When it’s hard to pull yourself out of bed in the morning, going to work and doing the 9-5 shift is nearly impossible. If your job performance is lacking, and you’re on the verge of being fired, it’s another sign that you’re in a low place.
6. Trying Escape Methods
It’s normal for people to try to escape their problems by taking a mental vacation. Drugs and alcohol are agents that numb your mind to don’t have to think or feel the negative emotions you’re experiencing. According to Addiction Center, there are 21 million people in this country that suffer from some addiction.
Sadly, only ten percent of these folks will seek treatment. While these substances can make you feel better in the short term, your problems will be waiting for you when the effect wears off. It’s not a helpful way to cope with your concerns, and it’s a sign you need help.
7. Severe Mood Swings
You may be grumpy, irritable, and downright mean when your emotional health is not good. Another classic sign of being at rock bottom is that you are very temperamental. Some days you feel so mean and nasty that you don’t like yourself.
Others will, no doubt, notice your mood change, and they may steer clear of you. If you constantly hear how cranky you are and people ask you what’s wrong, it may indicate you’re on a downward spiral.
8. Crying (Don’t Overlook the Obvious Signs of Hitting Rock Bottom)
It’s very cleansing to have a good cry. It’s very releasing to let all those pent-up emotions out and cleanse the soul. However, if you find that tears come effortlessly to your eyes and can’t seem to stop crying, it’s a sign of trouble.
Everyone cries, but if you find that you’re doing it a little too much, it may indicate a condition like major depressive disorder. Some people tend to be a bit weepier than others, but if you see to cry at the drop of a hat, it should be evaluated.
9. Sleeping Too Much or Too Little
Remember the lady above that said she couldn’t get out of bed? Someone who is nearing rock bottom may find that all they want to do is sleep. Sleeping is another way to escape the reality of the world around you, and it’s a coping mechanism that many people use.
Conversely, someone who can’t sleep and has insomnia may also sign impending issues. Your body cannot go without sleep, and a lack of rest can make you physically and mentally sick.
10. Trouble With The Law or Engaging Risky Behaviors
Have you got in trouble with the law or untypical legal issues? Do you find that you’re doing things and taking risks you wouldn’t normally do? Involvement with legal issues that stem from theft, fraud, or other acts you can control may indicate serious problems.
11. Staying Behind Four Walls
When people are suffering from anxiety, or panic, or are about to hit rock bottom, they may not want to leave the comforts of home. It can quickly turn into a condition known as agoraphobia, where someone is afraid to go beyond the four walls they’re accustomed to. If stepping beyond your front door brings a sense of panic, it’s a sign you’re not in a good place.
12. Somone at Rock Bottom Loses Faith In Humanity
It’s possible to lose faith in everyone and everything around you. You may question your belief in a higher power or whether your family has your best intentions at heart. When you no longer believe that the world is a beautiful place and there are good people here with you, it’s a scary place to be.
Final Thoughts On Hitting Rock Bottom
Remember, it’s not the number of times you fall and hit rock bottom that defines you. However, each time you rise and emerge stronger and better than before, this is what counts. Life comes with many storms that you must weather, and it doesn’t matter how much money is in your bank account or your last name.
Look at celebrities in Hollywood, they have more money than they know what to do with, yet so many of them are miserable. It just proves that money doesn’t solve your problems or buy happiness. In many instances, when you feel like you’re at rock bottom, there could be underlying mental illness.
When no significant changes in your life indicate your downward spiral, it could be a mental health issue to blame. The key is whatever is causing you to have such a hard time needs to be evaluated and treated. You can and will get through this dark season in your life.
Community
