How to tell if someone is mentally unstable?

Asked by: Jodie McKenzie  |  Last update: June 18, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (55 votes)

Examples of signs and symptoms include:
  1. Feeling sad or down.
  2. Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate.
  3. Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt.
  4. Extreme mood changes of highs and lows.
  5. Withdrawal from friends and activities.
  6. Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping.

How do you know if a person is mentally unstable?

Problems thinking — Problems with concentration, memory or logical thought and speech that are hard to explain. Increased sensitivity — Heightened sensitivity to sights, sounds, smells or touch; avoidance of over-stimulating situations. Apathy — Loss of initiative or desire to participate in any activity.

How to know if someone is emotionally unstable?

Crying uncontrollably, mood swings, low moods, high stress levels, anxiety disorders and panic attacks are some significant signs of an emotionally unstable person. Seek help immediately if you feel that a person is going through any of the aforementioned symptoms or issues.

What are the symptoms of an unstable mind?

Mental health problems are common, so it's important to be aware of possible signs. Feeling worried, depressed, guilty, worthless or feeling an exaggerated sense of 'high' may be signs of a mental health issue. Changes in sleep, weight, personal hygiene or activity at school or work may hint at a mental health issue.

What defines someone as mentally unstable?

Sudden mood changes. Extreme anxiety or paranoia. Delusions or hallucinations. Exhibiting aggressive or violent behavior. Self-harm or suicidal thoughts.

Houston psychiatrist discusses how to identify signs of mental illness in others

21 related questions found

How do unstable people act?

Emotional instability can cause intense and unpredictable mood swings, making it challenging for a person to manage their emotions effectively. This can lead to frequent outbursts, impulsivity, and difficulty with interpersonal relationships.

What is the hardest mental illness to live with?

What Is the Hardest Mental Illness to Live With?
  • Schizophrenia.
  • Severe Bipolar Disorder.
  • Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
  • Major Depression and Treatment-Resistant Depression.
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Eating Disorders.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • So, What is the hardest mental illness to live with?

What triggers mental instability?

Stressful life situations, such as financial problems, a loved one's death or a divorce. An ongoing (chronic) medical condition, such as diabetes. Brain damage as a result of a serious injury (traumatic brain injury), such as a violent blow to the head. Traumatic experiences, such as military combat or assault.

What are the 9 traits of BPD?

The 9 symptoms of BPD
  • Fear of abandonment. People with BPD are often terrified of being abandoned or left alone. ...
  • Unstable relationships. ...
  • Unclear or shifting self-image. ...
  • Impulsive, self-destructive behaviors. ...
  • Self-harm. ...
  • Extreme emotional swings. ...
  • Chronic feelings of emptiness. ...
  • Explosive anger.

What is the first stage of a mental breakdown?

The five stages of a mental breakdown include: The honeymoon phase – The first stage of a nervous breakdown is referred to as the “honeymoon” stage and is particularly noticeable when undertaking new work responsibilities or initiatives. There are no warning signs of a nervous breakdown at this time.

How does a mentally ill person behave?

The outward signs of a mental illness are often behavioral. A person may be extremely quiet or withdrawn. Conversely, they may burst into tears, have great anxiety or have outbursts of anger. Even after treatment has started, someindividuals with a mental illness can exhibit anti-social behaviors.

How to tell if someone has BPD?

But people with BPD will have at least five of these symptoms over time:
  1. A pattern of severe mood changes over hours or days.
  2. Extreme anger and problems controlling anger.
  3. Strong, up-and-down relationships with family and friends that can go quickly from very close to anger and hatred.

What might a lack of emotional stability look like?

A lower Emotional stability may mean that you experience the ups and downs with more nuance. People who score higher on this trait, conversely, can sometimes come across as a bit detached or dispassionate. This is especially true if they also score low on Agreeableness and/or Openness.

How to tell if someone is struggling mentally?

Changes in mood
  1. Having trouble coping with everyday stressors or challenges, or worrying and stressing out more than usual.
  2. Overreacting to situations or becoming sad, irritated, angry, or aggressive more easily.
  3. Feeling sad and hopeless all the time.

What is the first red flag of bipolar disorder?

Timely identification is crucial for managing bipolar disorder effectively. Look out for these early symptoms: 1. Mood Swings: Experiencing intense highs to extreme lows, which are more frequent and interfere with daily activities and sleep.

When to walk away from someone with mental illness?

If the relationship becomes too emotionally draining, affects your own mental health negatively, or if there's a pattern of toxic behavior that doesn't improve despite attempts to help, it may be time to consider walking away.

What are the 3 C's of BPD?

The 3 C's are: I didn't cause it. I can't cure it. I can't control it.

What does a BPD meltdown look like?

BPD Meltdown

These episodes involve intense emotional reactions that can be triggered by stress, rejection, or perceived abandonment. During a meltdown, people may experience extreme mood swings, impulsivity, and difficulty calming down.

What are BPD eyes?

Dissociation and Emotional Dysregulation in BPD

This might manifest as a "glazed-over" or "empty" look in their eyes, hence the term "empty eyes." This phenomenon is also associated with depersonalization or derealization, where individuals feel detached from themselves or their surroundings.

What is the rarest mental illness?

Rare Mental Health Conditions
  • Clinical Lycanthropy. ...
  • Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder. ...
  • Diogenes Syndrome. ...
  • Stendhal Syndrome. ...
  • Apotemnophilia. ...
  • Alien Hand Syndrome. ...
  • Capgras Syndrome. ...
  • Alice in Wonderland Syndrome.

How to deal with a mentally unstable person?

  1. Be informed. ...
  2. Develop a helpful approach toward the person suffering. ...
  3. Say what you think in a positive way. ...
  4. Encourage the person suffering to seek help when necessary. ...
  5. Express your feelings. ...
  6. Take care of yourself. ...
  7. Solve one problem at a time. ...
  8. Respect your limits and seek help when necessary.

What mental illness causes excessive talking?

People who talk excessively are labeled “compulsive talkers” and “oversharers.” Garrulousness could be a personality trait, but sometimes, talking a lot can stem from health conditions such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, generalized anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder.

What is the BPD stare?

One of the lesser-known symptoms of BPD is the "stare," a piercing and intense gaze that can be unsettling for others. While the stare is not a diagnostic criterion for BPD, it is often reported by people with BPD and can be a sign of emotional dysregulation.

What mental disorder kills the most?

All mental disorders had higher mortality risks than general population samples, but there was a considerable range from dysthymia, with an RR of 1.4, to opiate use disorders, with an SMR of 14.7. Substance use disorders and anorexia nervosa had the highest mortality risks (Table 1).

What is the most painful personality disorder?

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) has long been believed to be a disorder that produces the most intense emotional pain and distress in those who have this condition. Studies have shown that borderline patients experience chronic and significant emotional suffering and mental agony.