What is Wrong With Me? Why Do I Feel This Way and How do I Fix it?

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The world is finally coming to a place where mental health is not a taboo topic to talk about anymore. Now, it is time for those who suffer to reach out to get the help they deserve.

Nearly everyone struggles with self-worth at one time or another in their lives. How do you cope with the situation when this feeling of overwhelming stress, anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem feels overwhelming?

When you finally realize something is wrong, you can take control of your mental health by first identifying the problem, then coming up with the best plan of action to treat it.

What is Wrong With Me?

So many people struggle daily with anxiety, stress, and lack of focus or energy and have no clue what is going on; they just know something is wrong.

Have you ever asked yourself or someone else what is wrong with me? If you have feelings of self-doubt, insecurities, or constant worry, you might have an anxiety disorder that needs attention.

First, there is nothing “wrong with you,” and second, you are not alone. Not all bouts of sadness or negative feelings indicate a mental health disorder or defect. There are simply times in life when you can lapse into a funk you struggle to get out of.

What is Wrong with Me? Why Am I Overwhelmed?

“There are many reasons a person feels run down and flooded with emotions. If you are overwhelmed, you might be overworked or “burning the candle at both ends. Do any of these sound familiar to you?

  • You have difficulty telling people NO and take on way too much.
  • You set unrealistic expectations for yourself.
  • You are not organized and lack time management skills (possibly procrastination)

If you are a people pleaser or lack boundaries, you might take on too many favors or tasks throughout the day, causing you to wear out.

If you set unrealistic expectations or goals, you will work yourself to the point of exhaustion, then fall into depression when you can reach them.

Lacking organization is another significant contributor to feeling overwhelmed; writing a to-do list, keeping a strict schedule, and planning are all great ways to get a little relief.

What is Wrong with Me? Why Am I Lacking Self-Worth?

Low self-worth is often associated with childhood trauma or abuse and can create problems for you later in life. If you had abusive or very strict parents, the feeling of inadequacy could follow you everywhere you go.

You can also fall into this rut in an unhealthy relationship where you are belittled or contently talked down to. This can be from a domestic partner, family member, co-worker, or boss.

What to do if you have low self-worth?

  • Learn to forgive yourself
  • Learn self-compassion
  • Set boundaries with everyone in your life
  • Know it is okay to say NO
  • Understand it is okay to leave harmful relationships in the past

What is Wrong With Me? I Feel Stuck in Life

No matter how much money you make, what type of job you hold, or where you are in life, you can feel stuck if you are not happy with yourself.

Social media dramatically contributes to people feeling like they aren’t enough or haven’t accomplished enough.

When scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc., you will frequently see people with big smiles and the nicest things on their best days. People with low self-esteem or lack of self-worth will begin to compare themselves to these posts.

Sadly, many people lead double lives on social media and in real life. It is essential to be happy with what you have and work hard for what you want. Don’t believe every picture posted, and don’t feel like the things that make others happy will make you happy.

What to do if you feel stuck in life?

  • Practice gratitude
  • Create a dream board (clarify your goals)
  • Learn something new
  • Give journaling a try

What is Wrong With Me? I Always Feel Alone?

Have you ever felt alone even when you are in a room full of people? Many people go through life feeling alone and never making close bonds and connections.

There are tons of reasons for feeling alone even when you are not.

  1. You need higher-quality relationships– The people you surround yourself with are not providing you the attention and energy you need, or you are the one not putting in the right amount of effort.
  2. You always have your guard up. If you keep yourself closed off to others for fear of being hurt, you won’t have the ability to develop deep and meaningful connections.
  3. You spend too much time on your devices- In a world dependent on technology, we tend to spend a lot of our time engaged in social media, e-mails, and texts. Try putting down your phone for a while and see if you begin to notice a change.

What to do when you always feel alone

  • Try talking it out with someone you care about
  • Take a break from social media for awhile
  • Join a club to meet people who are interested in the same things you are
  • Cut off people who are not suitable for your mental health
  • Put yourself out there more often

What is Wrong With me? My Body Feels Bad All the Time

Physical symptoms are just as common as mental and emotional ones when you struggle with mental health issues. These physical symptoms result from your body reacting to the chemical reactions sent out by your brain.

Another cause of physical pain when you are sad, anxious, or depressed is muscle contractions.

Some of the most common complaints out there include

  • Lack of energy
  • Sleeping too much or insomnia
  • Gastrointestinal issues like acid reflux, stomach cramps, IBS, etc.
  • Muscle tension
  • Headaches or migraines

What to do When Your Body Hurts Due to Mental Health Issues?

  • Exercise
  • Take warm baths with Epsom salt
  • Try yoga or deep stretching
  • Get a massage

Is it Normal to Feel Like There is Something Wrong With Me?

Everyone goes through bouts of depression, feeling less than others, or feeling anxious or overwhelmed. In our world, staying calm, collected, and in control is hard.

It is normal to feel like something is wrong with you sometimes, whether you understand where the problem lies or just feel off and can’t pinpoint the issue.

Practicing self-care, talking with others, and slowing down are great ways to keep yourself in check and assess your feelings.

Many people can pull themselves out of these negative spaces independently with some work.

However, if you are in a dark place for an extended period or the feelings start to get extremely intense, it is time to look for a professional to get a little help.

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Is it Just Stress or Something Else?

Many types of mental health disorders can affect how you feel daily. These disorders come in multiple categories and can all significantly affect how you feel.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is commonly experienced by someone who suffered from a traumatic past. While it is often associated with those in the military who have returned from war, that isn’t the only reason people can suffer.

Common causes of PTSD

  • Physical or Sexual abuse
  • The death of a loved one
  • War
  • A significant natural disaster
  • A severe illness or Accident
  • Drug or alcohol abuse

Symptoms associated with PTSD

  • Depression
  • Fits of rage, hatred, and irritability
  • Confusion
  • Reliving the event or flashbacks
  • Intrusive and negative feelings such as guilt, anger, or fear
  • Social withdrawal
  • Avoid locations, people, or situations that remind them of a significant event.
  • Hallucinations or reoccurring nightmares of the event

Mood Disorders (Depression)

Depression isn’t just being sad for a day or two over life events or feeling down. Mood Disorders such as Major depression disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder create a long-lasting and intense sadness that negatively affects your daily life.

Causes of mood disorders

  • Abnormalities in the functioning of brain circuits (involving emotional processing)
  • Isolation
  • Genetics
  • Chronic medical illness or stress
  • Poor coping strategies for stressful situations

Symptoms of mood disorder include

  • Constantly feeling sad, moody, or anxious
  • Feeling tremendous helplessness
  • Constant low self-esteem
  • Feeling worthless or inadequate
  • Excessive guilt
  • Recurring thoughts of death or suicide, wanting to die, attempting to commit suicide
  • Losing interest in things you once enjoyed
  • Frequently feeling tired or a lack in energy
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Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is a familiar feeling when we are overwhelmed or overstimulated. However, it can be so much more if the feelings last long periods or become overwhelming and interfere with your everyday life.

There are many types of anxiety; some include general anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, and phobias.

Causes of anxiety disorder

  • Changes in brain chemicals and their functioning
  • Stress from the world around you
  • Family history
  • Substance abuse
  • Traumatic life events
  • Medical conditions such as heart problems, diabetes, thyroid problems, etc

Symptoms of anxiety disorder

  • Restlessness or unable to sleep
  • Too much sleep
  • A sudden feeling of panic and fear
  • Uneasiness
  • Digestive problems
  • Cold, sweaty, or numb hands or feet
  • Shortness of breath or chest pains
  • Increased heart rate
  • Sudden trembling
  • Brain fog or dizziness
  • Avoidance of situations that may cause fear
  • Obsessions and compulsions

Personality Disorder

There is a long list of personality disorders that mental health professionals see. These disorders as separated by class.

  • Class A: Odd or eccentric behavior- Odd behaviors or thought patterns make connecting with others around you difficult. You could have trust issues or a high degree of suspicion.
  • Class B: Dramatic, emotional, or erratic behavior- Patterns of manipulating others without feeling bad. Impulsive destructive behaviors can hurt you or others. You lack empathy and have an extreme sense of self-importance.
  • Class C: Anxious, fearful behavior- Helplessness, hopelessness, and the fear of not fitting in or being accepted. You might notice it is difficult to make simple decisions.

Causes of personality disorders

  • Childhood trauma
  • Changes in the brain
  • Environment and Culture

Symptoms of personality disorder

  • listed above (next to each class)

Psychotic Disorders

Psychotic Disorders are those mental health issues that cause someone to lose touch with reality. These are the disorders that can cause frequent hallucinations and delusions.

Causes of psychotic disorders

  • Hereditary or environmental factors
  • Stressful events
  • Neurotransmitter dysfunction in the brain
  • Organic brain illnesses include Parkinson’s disease, cancer syndromes (paraneoplastic), Huntington’s disease, etc.
  • Forms of dementia like Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and stroke
  • Brain tumors
  • Lack of sleep
  • Drug usage

Symptoms of psychotic disorders

  • Self-harming behavior
  • Weight gain
  • Paranoia
  • Delusions or hallucinations
  • Suicide attempts or thoughts
  • Too much or too little sleep
  • Inability to concentrate, switching subjects rapidly

Note: While these are all common causes and symptoms, there is still not enough information about mental health to link directly to what contributes to each disorder. Also, you can experience only a few of each set of symptoms and still have the disorder, or you can experience them all and not have it.

What to Do When You Don’t Know What is Wrong

If you ask yourself, “what is wrong with me?” seeking help is the first thing you should do. Whether that help comes from your family, your primary care doctor, or a mental health professional, they have the tools to create a treatment regimen that can help.

Talk with a Mental Health Professional

We have taken great strides over the last few years to understand mental health and how to treat it. With the increased attention and research, and easy availability of telehealth, reaching out to a mental health professional couldn’t be easier.

These experts are trained in treating patients, helping them make sense of their feelings, and spending time problem solving to get to the bottom of their emotions by talking about what they struggle with the most.

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Talk With Family and Friends

We often spend too much time in our heads; we tend to stop talking to those who know us the most. These people can be the most helpful and provide the answer we are looking for in one short conversation.

When you start feeling overwhelmed, find a person you trust and care about and clue them in on the bad things in life, the topics you struggle with, and never feel guilty about asking for help.

Often, a best friend asking what is wrong is the gateway to figuring things out. Take these opportunities to open up.

It can be beneficial to get advice from others who might see things differently than you do.

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Spend Some Time Soul Searching

Sometimes the best treatment option is to spend time alone. Most people these days believe being by yourself can lead to further depression or sadness, but that simply isn’t true.

Sometimes being on your own can help you think clearer, do a wellness check-in with yourself, and allows you to figure things out that make sense on a personal and private level.

To live life to the fullest, you must be honest and comfortable with yourself in your mind and physical body.

How to Cope With Stress

Life is busy and progressively getting worse for everyone. If you often ask what is wrong with me, you might simply be struggling with day-to-day stress. Having the right tools or coping mechanisms will put you on the right track to improving your mental strength and overall wellbeing.

Practice Self-Care Daily

Self-care time is one of the best things anyone can do for their mental health. Not everyone practices self-care frequently, and too many don’t practice it at all.

Taking care of yourself is one of the most important things you can gift yourself for the ideal life and overall happiness.

Those who suffer from any form of mental illness will benefit tremendously from self-care treatment.

So, what is self-care, and how can you use it moving forward?

  • Do activities you enjoy
  • Exercise regularly
  • Eat healthy foods that fuel and nourish you
  • Pamper yourself (take a bubble bath or get a massage)
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Meditation

Meditation doesn’t have to take hours out of your day, nor do you have to be an expert to gain from it. If you feel overwhelmed, meditation is a great way to reduce anxiety and develop a good growth mindset, allowing you to recognize where you are now and where you would like to be.

You can meditate for a few minutes lying in bed in the morning, clearing your mind and accepting the feelings and sensations that come through. You can also meditate on a walk or during your lunch break in a quiet room.

Sit With Your Thoughts

Take some time just to think freely. You can pinpoint precisely where you struggle and the emotions causing you the most pain. Utilize free writing to journal all of these feelings, the good and bad things that pop into your head, and allow it to lead you to what is wrong.

Essential Oils and Aromas

Sometimes feeling good is a matter of what you surround yourself with. The emotions that can be drawn up from a particular smell are incredible. You might start thinking about people or events that make you happy and content simply because the fragrance connects you to that memory.

Using oils such as lavender, chamomile, orange, and sandalwood is a great way to relax your mind and body and provide a calming feeling that will relieve all those negative thoughts and feelings.

Keep a Regular Sleep Schedule

With busy lives comes the idea that there isn’t enough time in the day. This thought is inherently wrong and can be detrimental to your health. If you ask any mental health professional, they will tell you that getting a good night’s sleep could be the only thing you do to improve your mood.

Practice Breath Work

Some tremendous coping skill to try when you feel overwhelmed is breath work. Breathing is a huge contributor to anxiety.

The way you breathe is a trigger in your body’s natural fight or flight reaction. Rapid shallow breathing can trigger your brain to think you are in a dangerous situation and will encourage your body to react this way, increasing anxiety and nervousness.

Learning to deep breathe during stressful situations is a great way to keep yourself in control.

There are several breathwork techniques available that help trigger situations.

  • Deep Breathing
  • Abdominal Breathing
  • Guided Visualization
  • Equal Breathing
  • Alternate Nostril Breathing
  • Progressive Relaxation

Can You Live a Good Life With a Mental Health Disorder?

Millions of people walking the planet with some form of mental health disorder have this same question, and the answer is absolutely, without a doubt, you can lead a normal, happy, and healthy life no matter what types of things you have going on.

Take Care of Your Mental Health

At the first sign of something wrong, take control of your mental health by taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Keeping tabs on your inner voice can help you from slipping out of control.

Here is a list of helpful tools and tricks that will help you improve your life.

  • Relaxation training
  • Problem-solving
  • Visualization
  • Exercise
  • Reciting mantras
  • Progressive muscle relaxation
  • Getting out into Nature
  • Breathing fresh air

Summing Things Up

The next time you ask yourself, “what is wrong with me?” take some time to assess your life, find where you can make improvements, where you can get rid of harmful elements, and ways you can get the help you need.

While self-help and mindfulness are great ways to get yourself out of negative head space, don’t for-go professional help if you genuinely need it.

References

https://www.verywellhealth.com/top-mental-health-disorders-a-mental-illness-list-5210092

https://www.healthline.com/health/breathwork

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