Top 10 Career Emotional Warning Signs
- Changes in behaviors – increased drinking, smoking, zoning out, acting differently, changes in work habits, taking unnecessary risks, new reckless activities, change in eating habits
- Emotional changes – anxiety, restlessness, worrying, irritability, sadness, fear, insecurity, lack of focus, forgetfulness, distancing
- Relationship conflicts/socially withdrawn – home, partner, supervisor, non-responder friends, isolating self from friends and family
- Reactive changes – angry outbursts, crying spells, flashbacks or sudden re-experiences of traumatic experiences, hyperarousal – feeling that danger is imminent, nightmares, displays of anger and rage
- Letting self go, neglect appearance and hygiene, losing interest in hobbies and activities
- Increased ailments – colds/flus/indigestion, headaches, backpain, chest pain, high blood pressure, problems sleeping, weight gain/loss, lack of energy
- Procrastination in personal decision making
- Sudden and unexplained improvement in mood after being depressed or withdrawn
- Negative talk and Warning Statements – talks about suicide or death (“I wish I were deadâ€), “What’s the point of living?â€, “ Nobody would notice if I was gone anywayâ€, “people would be better off without meâ€, express feelings that life is meaningless/hopeless, “I’m tired of lifeâ€
- Start giving away cherished possessions – “I won’t be needing this anymoreâ€, putting affairs in order – making final or funeral arrangements, ending significant relationships, having a suicide plan, collecting means or tools to commit suicide