According to Heathline, Mental illnesses are complex conditions that affect a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, and behavior. They are characterized by significant changes in one’s perception and behavior, causing distress and impairment in daily life. Mental illnesses can range from mild to severe and can be short-term or chronic. It is important to recognize the warning signs of mental illnesses to seek early diagnosis and treatment.
There are several alarming symptoms of mental illnesses that indicate the need for professional help.
1. Changes in mood: Mood changes are often the first sign of a mental illness. A person with depression may feel sad, hopeless, and lose interest in activities they once enjoyed. They may also experience a loss of appetite, changes in sleep patterns, and fatigue. Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings between mania and depression.
2. Behavioral changes: Behavioral changes such as changes in eating habits, substance abuse, and risky behavior are often indicators of a mental illness. A person with an eating disorder may excessively restrict food intake or engage in binge eating and purging behaviors. Substance abuse can also be a sign of an underlying mental illness, as people may use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate or cope with their symptoms.
3. Suicidal ideation: Suicidal ideation is a serious symptom of mental illness that requires immediate attention. A person who expresses thoughts of suicide or self-harm should be taken seriously and seek professional help immediately.
4. Psychotic symptoms: Psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions are often associated with severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. Hallucinations are sensory experiences that are not based in reality, while delusions are false beliefs that a person holds despite evidence to the contrary.
5. Difficulty in sleeping: Sleep disturbances are often associated with mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. A person may have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or wake up too early in the morning. Insomnia can lead to fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.
6. Social withdrawal: A person with a mental illness may withdraw from social activities and isolate themselves from others. They may experience a loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed, and may have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships.
7. Obsessive-compulsive symptoms: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. A person with OCD may have intrusive thoughts that are distressing and cause anxiety, and engage in repetitive behaviors to relieve that anxiety.
8. Cognitive changes: Cognitive changes such as difficulty concentrating, memory loss, and confusion can be signs of a mental illness. These symptoms may be present in conditions such as depression, anxiety, and dementia.
9. Physical symptoms: Some mental illnesses can also present with physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, and fatigue. These symptoms may be related to stress or anxiety.
It is important to note that experiencing one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has a mental illness. However, if these symptoms persist for an extended period of time or significantly impact daily functioning, it may be necessary to seek professional help.
Content created and supplied by: Latest5 (via Opera News )
COMMENTS