A leading self-help author and coach has shed light on the early, often overlooked signs of mental health issues, encouraging individuals to listen to their bodies before symptoms escalate into severe anxiety or panic attacks.
Lisa Houghton, who boasts a following of 226,000 on Instagram, regularly shares mental health insights with her audience. In a recent post, Houghton discussed subtle, everyday symptoms that may indicate a decline in mental health, urging people to recognize these signs before they reach a crisis point.
Houghton’s advice comes at a time when many people only acknowledge their mental health struggles after experiencing major events like panic attacks or breakdowns. However, according to Houghton, early warning signs can be much more subtle.
Subtle Indicators of Mental Health Struggles
In a video shared on her Instagram, Houghton highlighted one of the first signs of mental distress: persistent fatigue despite adequate sleep. “We don’t realize that the first sign our mental health is suffering isn’t a panic attack or an emotional breakdown. It starts with waking up exhausted, even after sufficient sleep,” she explained.
In addition to fatigue, Houghton listed several other signs that may signal mental health issues, including difficulty getting out of bed, frequent headaches, low motivation, digestive or skin problems, and muscle aches. She also pointed to the desire to withdraw from social interactions, irritability, feelings of low energy, and cognitive issues such as brain fog or memory problems.
Further, Houghton emphasized the emotional toll that can accompany mental health struggles, such as feeling lost, stuck, or devoid of joy. Self-destructive behaviors and an overwhelming sense of hopelessness were also noted as potential red flags.
Listening to Your Body
Houghton encouraged individuals to pay close attention to these early signals from their bodies. “Your body speaks to you. Listen before it has to scream!” she said, urging her followers to take these warning signs seriously.
In her caption, Houghton reflected on her own experiences, sharing how she initially failed to recognize the subtle signs of anxiety in her own life. “I used to think that the panic attacks and anxiety I experienced just came out of nowhere. Like it was some illness I’d developed because my brain was faulty,” she wrote. “But the truth was, they didn’t just appear suddenly. My mental health and nervous system were sending signals all along that they were suffering.”
She admitted that, at the time, she dismissed the early warning signs, resorting to painkillers, alcohol, and harsh self-criticism to cope with the discomfort. “I only learned this during my second mental breakdown, in my mid-40s,” she confessed. “I doubt many doctors fully understood it either, but it’s true our bodies do talk to us. So, let’s start listening.”
Prioritizing Mental Wellbeing
Houghton’s message encourages individuals to prioritize their mental health by honoring their bodies and well-being. “Give yourself permission to be human, not machines that just need a bit of maintenance when things go wrong,” she advised.
She also stressed the importance of self-care and creating space for personal needs, reminding her followers to be kind to themselves and to seek support when necessary. “Make yourself a priority,” she urged. “Reclaim your wellbeing by listening to your needs and honoring them.”
The post resonated deeply with her audience, garnering over 15,000 likes and a flood of supportive comments. One follower noted, “Such an important reminder! Anxiety and burnout don’t always show up as full-blown panic attacks… they whisper through exhaustion, brain fog, and feeling ‘off.’ Learning to listen to those early signs can make all the difference.”
As mental health awareness continues to grow, Houghton’s insights serve as a reminder that the path to recovery begins with self-awareness and taking the first step toward addressing the subtle signs of distress before they escalate.
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