How to recognize your mental illness?

A mental illness can make you miserable and can cause problems in your daily life, such as at school or work or in relationships. Mental illness, also called mental health disorders, refers to a wide range of mental health conditions — disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behavior. Many people have mental health concerns from time to time. But a mental health concern becomes a mental illness when ongoing signs and symptoms cause frequent stress and affect your ability to function. We need to educate ourselves about these signs, so if we see anyone with these symptoms we can help them. Learning about developing symptoms, or early warning signs, and taking action can help. Early intervention can help reduce the severity of an illness. It may even be possible to delay or prevent a major mental illness altogether. There is lot of symptoms of mental health illness according to different conditions, but some of the common signs are:

• Feeling anxious or worried

We all get worried or stressed from time to time. But anxiety could be the sign of a mental health disorder if the worry is constant and interferes all the time. Other symptoms of anxiety may include heart palpitations, shortness of breath, headache, sweating, trembling, feeling dizzy, restlessness, diarrhea or a racing mind.

• Feeling depressed or unhappy

Signs of depression include being sad or irritable for the last few weeks or more, lacking in motivation and energy, losing interest in a hobby or being teary all the time.

• Emotional outbursts

Everyone has different moods, but sudden and dramatic changes in mood, such as extreme distress or anger, can be a symptom of mental illness.

• Sleep problems

Lasting changes to a person’s sleep patterns could be a symptom of a mental health disorder. For example, insomnia could be a sign of anxiety or substance abuse. Sleeping too much or too little could indicate depression or a sleeping disorder.

• Weight or appetite changes

For some people, fluctuating weight or rapid weight loss could be one of the warning signs of a mental health disorder, such as depression or an eating disorder.

• Quiet or withdrawn

Withdrawing from life, especially if this is a major change, could indicate a mental health disorder. If a friend or loved one is regularly isolating themselves, they may have depression, bipolar disorder, a psychotic disorder, or another mental health disorder. Refusing to join in social activities may be a sign they need help.

• Substance abuse

Using substances to cope, such as alcohol or drugs, can be a sign of mental health conditions. Using substances can also contribute to mental illness.

• Feeling guilty or worthless

Thoughts like ‘I’m a failure’, ‘it’s my fault’ or ‘I’m worthless’ are all possible signs of a mental health disorder, such as depression. Your friend or loved one may need help if they’re frequently criticizing or blaming themselves. When severe, a person may express a feeling to hurt or kill themselves. This feeling could mean the person is suicidal and urgent help is needed.

• Changes in behavior or feelings

A mental health disorder may start out as subtle changes to a person’s feelings, thinking and behavior. Ongoing and significant changes could be a sign that they have or are developing a mental health disorder. If something doesn’t seem ‘quite right’, it’s important to start the conversation about getting help. Does Unusual behavior such as Odd, uncharacteristic, peculiar behavior

• Increased sensitivity:

Heightened sensitivity to sights, sounds, smells or touch; avoidance of over-stimulating situations

• Feeling disconnected:

A vague feeling of being disconnected from oneself or one’s surroundings; a sense of unreality

• Illogical thinking:

Unusual or exaggerated beliefs about personal powers to understand meanings or influence events; illogical or “magical” thinking typical of childhood in an adult

• Nervousness:

Fear or suspiciousness of others or a strong nervous feeling

• Lack of Communication

Children have a hard enough time communicating as it is, considering that they’re still learning what communication is. This may be a harder thing to pick up on, but if you see a very noticeable lack of or issue with communication that could be a sign of mental illness. An example of this is if your child seems to be sharing less and less with you about school, their friends, their feelings, etc.

• New Fear of Things

If your child’s mannerisms and personality are usually fearless and open to new things, and they suddenly are too scared to try anything new, there may be a deeper issue of anxiety. This is especially true if they develop fears of everyday activities they were previously used to doing, such as riding the bus.

One or two of these symptoms alone can’t predict a mental illness but may indicate a need for further evaluation. If a person is experiencing several at one time and the symptoms are causing serious problems in the ability to study, work or relate to others, he/she should be seen by a physician or mental health professional. Also Project C is designed for helping people who are having these problems. If you want someone reliable to talk with, educate yourself about mental health issues and want to get specialist advice; we are here for help.