What Are The 5 Signs of Mental Illness?
Almost one in five Americans suffer from mental illness, with the most recent estimates placing the figure above 50 million. However, large numbers of these people suffer in silence and might not even realize they’re ill. As a result, they’re unable to seek out the therapy or medications that could help them heal. However, you can keep the following signs of mental illness in mind to consider if you or someone in your life might need to seek help.
The Five Signs of Mental Illness
Stress, Paranoia, and General Fear
Stress, anxiety, and other emotions relating to fear are common symptoms of many disorders. Of course, they can be the temporary result of specific events in someone’s life as well. It’s not always so clear-cut, though, and long-term suffering of this sort can boil over into a generalized anxiety or stress disorder. Even if these feelings aren’t resultant from a disorder, it’s still worth seeking therapy for your own sake.
Withdrawal From Social Activities
Mental illness can negatively impact socialization in many ways. For instance, depression can make every action seem exhausting and deprive someone of the energy they need to take part in social interactions. Anxiety can cause people to be afraid that others secretly harbor ill-feeling toward them and take pleasure out of being around other people.
Extreme Mood Swings
Mood swings can be the direct symptom of many mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder. However, mood swings can also derive indirectly from the level of stress and fear that other disorders produce. Either way, it’s worth considering that something more is going on when you or someone you know experiences sharp changes in mood.
Drastic Changes in Sleep, Appetite, Etc.
Mental illness can make it difficult to go about your normal day and make it emotionally taxing to brush your teeth or even eat. When someone has a sudden change in their basic habits and self-care, it’s frequently an indication of mental illness. Furthermore, it can form a sort of vicious cycle where a person is too drained to take care of themselves, which further worsens their overall mental state.
Enduring Poor Mood, Irritability, Sadness
Many mental illnesses are capable of producing chronic irritability or poor mood. Attention deficit disorder, for instance, can cause someone to become irritable as they struggle to perform their basic tasks and handle their responsibilities. Mood disorders and psychotic disorders can cause long-term poor mood much more directly, as well; bipolar, for instance, entails shifts between abject depression and unrestrained mania.
Alter Behavioral Health
The Alter Behavioral Health team specializes in providing primary care for adult autism but also treats primary mental health disorders. If you suspect you’re suffering from a mental illness, we can help you assess yourself via a diagnosis. Whether you’re suffering from a mental illness or not, we’ll be able to provide the services and support you need to feel your best.
