We all have this idea of what a mental health crisis looks like. Someone screaming for help or putting their life on blast. But the truth is, most people don’t do that, as per psychological theory. In fact, they do the opposite. They retreat. They go very quiet. And that quiet is filled with subtle changes most people miss.
The way they brush their teeth, or respond to a text, or sit in silence might reveal more than you realize. This person isn’t screaming their pain. They’re not saying it out loud at all. But if you look at the quiet, you can hear it. If you look at the day-to-day, you can see it. So, here are 10 ordinary habits that might actually scream mental health crisis.
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Having Hours-Long Showers
Some people take a long shower, or many long showers, to avoid the day. It’s not just that they want to be clean. It’s that, for an hour or two, they don’t have to do anything else. Their day is in the future, and they’re in the shower, with nothing to think or stress over, and no actions they have to take. They’re just warm and clean, and that’s enough for a little while.
Eating Breakfast for Dinner
It’s not creativity. They just aren’t sure what time of day it is, or if time even matters anymore. They might eat breakfast at 11 p.m. or have dinner at 4 p.m. It doesn’t really matter to them. All that matters is that they’re still alive and breathing.
Keeping Their Phone on Do Not Disturb All Day
Some people don’t just silence their phones. They keep them that way. They’re not trying to be rude. They’re just overwhelmed. Even the sound of a message can feel like too much. Blocking it all out feels easier than pretending to be okay.
Scratching the Same Spot on their Arm Again and Again
It’s not a habit. It’s not even scratching. They want to get rid of the marks, but their arm is the only place that they can. It’s something to keep them going when nothing else does, the only way they know how to calm down.
Avoiding Mirrors for Days at a Time
Sometimes people can’t face their own reflection because it makes everything feel real. They walk past mirrors without turning their heads. It becomes easier not to look than to see a version of themselves they don’t recognize anymore.
Constantly Needing Background Noise Even to Sleep
They say they like falling asleep with a podcast or the TV on. But it’s not just a habit. The silence makes their thoughts louder. The noise is a distraction from everything spinning inside their head. It’s the only way they can rest without feeling alone with their mind.
Leaving Clothes Piled on a Chair Instead of Putting Them Away
That chair becomes a holding spot for everything they can’t sort out yet. They leave clean clothes there, or partially folded laundry, or a jacket that needs to be hung. It is a small signal that decisions feel overwhelming, and they do not have the motivation to deal with them.
Saying “I’m Just Tired” Even When They Slept Enough
It’s a line so overused most people don’t notice it. But physical tiredness and emotional burnout aren’t the same. They could be sleeping a full eight hours and waking up drained. “Tired” is just an easier word to use than “not coping.”
Pulling Their Hair out Bit by Bit
It’s not just a nervous habit. Some people do it so much that it becomes a hard-to-break habit. When they stop and look in the mirror, they see thin hairs sprouting in new spots. It’s easy to pull and easy to see. At least it’s something real they can blame. Saying it’s the reason they can’t sleep or focus gives them some relief.
Over-Apologizing for Small Things
They say sorry when they ask a question. They apologize if they speak twice in a conversation. It’s a sign they’re afraid of being annoying or taking up too much space. They feel like a burden even when no one’s made them feel that way.
Source: Adapted from symptoms presented in American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.; DSM-5-TR). American Psychiatric Publishing.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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