All You Need to Know

• Why do I feel out of control?

  There are different ways you can feel out of control. You might find yourself doing things you don't want to, over and over. You might feel unable to stop, even when you want to. This might be;

  • Performing tasks or rituals over and over again because they make you feel safe
  • Feeling addicted to something - drugs, alcohol, gaming, social media or sex
  • Self-harming
  • Binge-eating or changing your eating habits 
  • Over-exercising
  • Taking risks.

  Behaving like this can be a way to avoid difficult feelings. Sometimes repeating the same task can feel familiar which gives you relief for a short time.

  Breaking these cycles takes time and support. If you are worried about feeling out of control, it's good to share those worries with an adult or friend that you can trust.

  Your GP or local healthcare professional will be able to give you more advice and plan what can be done to help you. 

  Advice on feeling out of control

• What are mania and hypomania?

  Mania and hypomania are periods of overactive, high-energy feelings. You might notice feeling extremely 'high', which is different from being in a good mood. The feelings are very intense and go on for a long time. Hypomania is a milder form of mania.

  While you feel that 'high', you may be more likely to take risks and have false confidence about what you can do. This can put you in danger. You might feel;

  • Extremely happy
  • Very excitable
  • Irritable or agitated
  • Have increased sexual energy
  • Be unable to concentrate
  • Have lots of confidence
  • Unable to sleep regularly.

  Other people may notice you being more active and chatty than usual, taking more risks or spending more money than you have.

  Mania can happen for different reasons, sometimes with no apparent cause. It can be a sign of mental health conditions called Bipolar Disorder or Schizoaffective Disorder, so it's important you get checked out by a GP. Here you can listen to Laura's lived experience of hypomania. 

• What can I do if I'm having extreme moods?

  If you are worried about how you have been feeling and have experienced episodes of mania, or feeling out of control, it's best to speak to your GP. 

  However you’re feeling, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your GP.

  Your GP can help you by;

  • Letting you know what support is available for free on the NHS, or through private services
  • Advising you on what types of treatment there will be to help you, like counselling, therapy or different medications
  • Offering a regular check-in to see how you are doing
  • Finding local support groups for your mental health
  • Explaining what the next steps are in getting you support.

  Find more support to prepare for meeting your GP

• Who can I tell if I'm worried about my friend's unusual behaviour?

  If you are worried about a friend who has been behaving unusually, it's good to talk to them to show you are there to listen. It can help someone feel like they’re not alone. 

  There are lots of ways to get help with mental health. Your friend might find it easier to talk to someone they don’t know or a professional.

  Encourage them to speak to;

  • Their GP or a doctor
  • A trusted adult
  • A helpline or texting advice service like ChatHealth, Childline or Kooth

  A guide to helping a friend with mental health issues

• Why am I acting more impulsively?

  Your brain develops as you mature from a child to an adult and this can lead to changes in behaviour.

  It's normal for a teenager to be tempted by new experiences and sometimes this can lead to making risky decisions.

  Some areas of the brain can develop more quickly than others which can make you behave in certain ways. For example, areas of the brain associated with reward tend to develop faster than those linked to self-control, which may encourage you to make impulsive decisions.

• I'm worried about my parent or carer's behaviour

  Your parent or carer might be struggling to cope with a stressful situation, or finding it hard to deal with a break-up. This can affect their mental health, they might also drink more alcohol, which affects their behaviour. 

  If you are worried about their behaviour, talk to them and explain why you are concerned. Do this at a time when they are calm, sober and open to having a conversation with you.

  If you think they are struggling with their mental health, encourage them to speak to their GP to find out what support is available.