YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS
Young Adulthood: A Season of Growth and New Challenges
The phase between ages 18 and 25 is one of major transformations. You might be stepping into higher education, starting your first job, exploring serious relationships, or becoming more independent from your family.
All of these transitions can bring a mix of excitement and stress. It’s a time of self-discovery but also a period where many people begin to experience mental health symptoms, as most conditions first appear by age 25.
Figuring out whether what you're going through is a typical part of growing up or something more serious can be tricky. Mental health conditions don't show up on scans or blood tests, and many symptoms overlap with everyday stress. For instance, struggling to focus might just be a bad day or it could signal a deeper issue. This uncertainty can delay getting the help you need.
If mental health symptoms are starting to interfere with your daily life, it’s important to take them seriously. Support and treatment are available, and the first step is understanding what you’re going through so you can get the right help.
Wondering If You Might Have a Mental Health Condition?
The brain is the control center for everything: your movements, speech, senses, emotions, and thoughts. So, when something’s off mentally or emotionally, it can impact all areas of life.
If you're unsure whether what you're feeling is more than just stress, it can help to think of it like a physical symptom. Let’s say you have a stomachache. Maybe you ate something too fast, not fun, but not alarming. But if you start waking up every day with stomach pain that doesn't go away, you’d probably think about seeing a doctor. Even if you're not sure what's wrong, you'd know it’s not normal.
Now, replace that stomach ache with persistent anxiety. Maybe you feel on edge about something specific like an upcoming test and it goes away afterward. That’s totally normal. But if anxiety becomes constant, keeps you up at night, affects your appetite, or disrupts your routine, it might be a sign of an underlying mental health condition.
So when is it time to reach out?
Here are some signs that a thought, feeling, or behavior might be more than just temporary stress:
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It's intense or overwhelming
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It lasts longer than two weeks
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It interferes with everyday life like sleeping, eating, working, concentrating, or connecting with others
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You're pulling away from people or isolating
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It’s paired with risky behaviors, substance use, or thoughts of self-harm
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You notice repeating patterns of distress
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You start taking dangerous risks
If any of these feels familiar, you could be facing a mental health condition. The more of these signs you relate to, the more likely it is that a diagnosis — such as:
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Depression or bipolar disorder (mood disorders)
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Anxiety-related conditions
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Cognitive concerns like OCD or psychosis
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Behavioral conditions like eating disorders or substance use issues
Unlike some physical conditions, mental health issues don’t always follow a predictable path. They vary in intensity, duration, and how much they impact your life which is why getting a professional evaluation is important.
Even if you’re unsure whether it’s something long-term or just a rough patch, you know yourself best. And if something feels off, that’s reason enough to speak to someone about it.
Taking the First Steps Toward Help
One way to start supporting your mental well-being is by practicing self-care and to try things like exercise, mindfulness, or journaling to reduce stress.
However, if self-care isn’t easing your distress, or if things are starting to impact your ability to function like disrupted sleep, performance, relationships, or safety, it’s time to ask for help.
Start by opening up to someone you trust. Whether it’s a friend, family member, mentor, or someone in your community, simply sharing your feelings with a supportive person can bring some relief. They might also help you take the next step toward getting professional care.
If you are unable or uncomfortable asking for help from your friends or family, You can always reach out to us by booking a free counselling session with us, we can then guide you towards doctors or therapists if needed.
There are various treatment options available, and no one-size-fits-all solution. Two of the most common approaches are psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) and medication. Studies show that a combination of these tailored to your needs and developed with input from you, your family, and your health provider often brings the best results.
We are committed to ensuring that every individual experiencing a mental health challenge receives the support, care, and respect they deserve.