Help and advice: Is it normal?
Answers to your questions around mental health
As a society, we place a lot of significance around the concept of being ‘normal’, yet its meaning is difficult to define and unique to everyone..
Throughout the last few years, Google search volumes show some of us have questioned our mental health, emotions, doubts and concerns and have often wondered if how we're feeling is normal. But what is normal?
Normal can mean something different to everyone. We looked at the top mental health questions being searched online that included 'is it normal', since 2020. Here, we explore some of the points raised in the data and provide some reassurance that you're not alone if you feel this way too.
Check out the top ‘Is it normal?’ searches
Is it normal to question
your sexuality?
Sexuality and sexual orientations are part of a spectrum, and it’s very common for people to question their sexuality. Sexual orientation is all about attraction, and whether you’re gay, straight, bisexual or asexual, it’s entirely normal to question how you feel towards others.
Since 2020, it appears that many of us have been have been thinking and reflecting on how we feel. This is shown in the increased amount of searches about sexuality.
If your sexuality has affected your experiences or relationships in a negative way, this can cause a negative impact on your mental health. It's important to share your experiences with someone trusted, whether
it's a friend, family member or a mental health professional.
Is it normal to cry everyday?
When we're going through a difficult time, it's natural for our emotions to overwhelm us.
If you find that you're crying frequently, or have felt overwhelmed for a long time, it can indicate an underlying mental condition like depression or an anxiety disorder.
With the right treatment and support, most to many people can and will recover. Even if you live with a long-term recurring mental health condition, you could still be covered with Bupa's mental health insurance.
If you have Bupa health insurance and you’re worried that you might have depression or anxiety, please call us on 0808 115 5285^.
Is it normal to fall out of love?
Not feeling the same way about a person you previously loved can be quite scary. You may feel as though you no longer enjoy spending time with them, but you still care about them.
People fall out of love for many different reasons. It could be a change in circumstances, being together every day, or spending more time apart may have added extra strain on a relationship. It’s entirely natural to outgrow each other or drift apart.
It’s not something you have to face alone. You can check out our mental health hub for information on how mental health affects relationships, and how relationships affect mental health
Is it normal not to dream?
You may have spoken to friends who had especially vivid dreams during lockdown periods. If you're worried that you haven't had any dreams at all, it's worth knowing that you can have healthy REM (rapid eye movement) sleep without dreams, or dream during the night but forget the dream as soon as you wake up.
If you can’t remember having a dream, but you're sleeping well, then there's probably nothing to worry about.
However, if you've been struggling to sleep for some time, it is advisable to speak to your GP as there are some physical and mental health conditions that can lead to sleep difficulties. You can find free help and advice about sleep on our Mental Health Hub, and if you have Bupa mental health cover, you can call us on 0808256 1766^.
Is it normal to be jealous?
Jealousy is a human emotion and it is entirely natural to feel it.
Whether you’re jealous in your relationships, of your friends or people online, it’s okay to feel that way sometimes, but it can become unhealthy if it persists and affects your relationships.
If you’re jealous of someone that’s close to you, it’s good to talk to them about it, and try to understand why you’re feeling that way. Keeping this emotion to yourself can cause a lot of stress and anxiety.
If your jealousy is making you feel angry, there's evidence that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help to break negative thought patterns.
Is it normal to talk to yourself?
Not only is talking to yourself common, it can be good for your mental health.
Talking to yourself slows down your thoughts and allows you to process them, giving you time to think before you act.
Talking in a positive way can also improve your self-esteem, so be kind to yourself.
However, if you feel that talking to yourself has a negative knock-on effect for your mental health, practising mindfulness can help to reduce your stress levels and prevent depression and anxiety.
Is it normal to cry?
If you're faced with a big life event, or something that puts you under lots of pressure, it can affect you both physically and mentally, and can even cause changes in your behaviour.
If you feel like you should or want to cry and you're not able to, it might be a sign of an underlying mental health condition, like depression. Talking about these feelings with a mental health professional or somebody close to you can help to get to the bottom of them and pave a path forward.
Find a mental health professional near you
Browse our comprehensive list of Bupa-recognised consultants, therapists, hospitals and healthcare services. You don’t need be a Bupa member to see them, just make your own appointment and pay independently.
If you're in a crisis or just need some help, don't hesitate. Here are some really helpful organisations that you can turn to for support.
Samaritans
When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. Whoever you are and whatever you’re facing, they won’t judge you or tell you what to do. They’re here to listen so you don’t have to face it alone.
Call free day or night on
116 123 (UK and ROI)
Mind
Mind is a charity dedicated to mental health. They exist to make sure no one has to face a mental health problem alone. They’ll listen to you and offer support and advice.
0300 123 3393
Lines open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays
Young Minds
YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity for children’s and young people's mental health. You can text Crisis Messenger for free 24/7 and get support from trained volunteers who are supervised by experienced clinicians. Texts are free from most major mobile networks.
For urgent help, text YM to 85258
Mental Health Foundation
This charity helps people understand, protect and sustain their mental health. The ‘Your mental health’ section has lots of useful content, including podcasts about mindfulness and overcoming anxiety.
Rethink Mental Illness
Rethink offers crisis and recovery services, advocacy, online resources, support groups and much more. Each year, they help tens of thousands of people manage their mental wellbeing.
0300 5000 927
Lines open 9:30am to 4pm Monday to Friday
Bupa’s mental health hub
The Bupa mental health hub is packed with articles and information available to everyone.
You can hear real life stories from people who’ve overcome their personal battles, and find out where to get help if you need it.
Mental health support as part of Bupa health insurance
I’m already a Bupa health insurance customer
If you have mental health cover as part of your Bupa health insurance, we can refer you to a consultant or therapist, and you may not even have to see your GP first††. Or we can put you through to one of our mental health nurses.
0808 256 1766^
^Calls may be recorded and to maintain the quality of our service we may monitor some of our calls, always respecting the confidentiality of the call.
I’m not a Bupa customer, but I’d like to find out more about health insurance
If you’re looking for mental health support as part of a broader health insurance policy, we can look after you, your family, or your employees.
†Any onward referrals for consultations, tests or treatment are subject to the benefits and exclusions of your cover. Please check your guide and certificate for further details or contact us to check your eligibility.
Bupa health insurance is provided by Bupa Insurance Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 3956433. Bupa Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Arranged and administered by Bupa Insurance Services Limited, which is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales No. 3829851. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London EC2R 7HZ.
