Are you an internaliser of externaliser?

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These two styles of behaviour refer to how mental illness can present itself.

- Externalising: behaviour directed towards your environment (e.g. others)
- Internalising: behaviour directed towards one’s self.

Most people are aware of externalised behaviours as they are more visible: aggression, damaging property etc. whereas internalising is an attack on ourself. Internalising is harder to spot & can easily go unnoticed by family & friends. Internalising behaviours can look like:
  • Feeling sadness, lonely, afraid, unwanted, or unloved
  • Being withdrawn and not wanting to socialize
  • Becoming irritable or nervous, especially when stressed or emotional
  • Not wanting to talk or communicate with anyone
  • Having difficulty concentrating or focusing on important tasks
  • Sleeping a lot more or less than usual
  • Eating a lot more or less than usual
  • Negative self-talk
  • Substance abuse
  • Suicidal thoughts, attempts, or ideation

Question for you: 
Are you aware of when you are internalising & have a plan to intervene early? 

One of the most effective tools for intervention is being able tell someone about it - a friend, colleague, partner, parent, counsellor - someone you trust will be able to listen well.

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