Inability to speak openly can be a sign of mental health problems

If you or someone close to you cannot express their thoughts and feelings properly, there is no bad intention behind it. There may also be an associated mental health condition.

Communication is a basic human need. Its absence can have a negative impact on mental health. When a loved one does not respond to our sadness or happiness as we expect, the experience is frustrating.

But according to psychiatrists, if these communication problems occur repeatedly with the same person, it may not be because of their lack of good intentions. This may be a sign of a possible social cognitive change. Recent research from McGill University in Montreal has made it clear that there is a link between social cognition and various mental health disorders.

What is social cognition?

Social cognition is the ability by which we understand the emotions of others and evaluate their motives and beliefs.

Mental health can reduce your abilities

Mental health disorders can reduce the ability to understand the feelings of others and communicate openly. Studies have shown that this decline is seen in many mental health disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Impact on daily life

Recent studies have shown that deficits in social cognition in people with bipolar disorder affect their ability to function in everyday life. This deficit results in difficulty expressing emotions, forming relationships with others, and participating in social life.

Preventive measures

Several interventions have been developed to improve social cognition. These include a variety of exercises that focus on improving social cognition and memory. For example, patients can be given exercises to identify what the other person is feeling. Additionally, social knowledge can be developed through stories where characters motives are gradually revealed.

Important information for families

It is important for family and friends to know that when someone is suffering from a mental health disorder, they are not intentionally hurting. Special programs are available to improve communication, which help family members maintain relationships with each other.