Subclinical symptoms of mental health are the low-level and perhaps short-lived mental or emotional drawbacks that are serious enough to affect people’s personal and professional lives, but not so obvious (at least externally), or sufficiently severe to qualify as a diagnosable disorder.

Common subclinical symptoms, which act as early warning signs of a mental health problem include:

• Losing interest in the things you’ve always enjoyed.

• Feeling nervous, jumpy and panicky.

• Lack of confidence or assertiveness.

• Wakeful nights (tossing and turning).

• Experiencing emotional sensitivity.

• Drinking or smoking too much.

• Frequently losing your temper.

• Eating too much or too little.

• Feeling constantly anxious.

• Relying on drugs to get by.

• Becoming heartbroken.

• Unable to concentrate.

• Being stricken by grief.

• Doubting yourself.

• Feeling indecisive.

• Isolating yourself.

• Feeling rejected.

• Procrastinating.

• Feeling lonely.

Everyone may experience one or some of these symptoms for a short period (a few weeks), and there is no reason to be alarmed. You probably recover on your own and become stronger and wiser (particularly if there is a clear reason for it).

However, if you are experiencing some of these symptoms frequently for a relatively long time (a few months), and there is no prospect of recovery, you need to seek help. This is when a medical approach may see your symptoms as subclinical (not enough for diagnosis) and refuse to offer the required help.

Of course, there are many self-help books and internet articles (blogs) that offer help and know-how. Some of these are indeed helpful and many who use them, see positive outcomes. But, there are a number of setbacks with these, which limit their usefulness, at least for some people, who end up feeling cheated or neglected. After many years of futile struggle and agony, their symptoms could become so severe that they fit into the medical model and finally get some help, which may prove to be too little, too late.

Unfortunately, the mental health system (in the UK) is struggling and is extremely short of resources. But at least for people who can afford to get the support of a professional personal coach, there is a practical alternative which unfortunately is highly underutilised.

Additionally, lack of knowledge about positive mental health, the stigma attached to mental health, and pressure to do more, better and faster prevent people from taking corrective actions until it’s almost too late.

If you feel overwhelmed, first contact your GP, and use their advice and recommendation. If you want to use the internet, NHS (https://www.nhs.uk/), mind (https://www.mind.org.uk/) and SANE (http://www.sane.org.uk/home) websites are the best in the UK.