sign of mental health issues
Mental illness, also known as a “mental health disorder,” refers to a wide range of mental health conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior. Examples of mental illness include Depression, Anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and addictive behaviors.
Many people experience mental health problems from time to time. However, a mental health problem becomes a mental illness when the signs and symptoms become persistent, cause stress, and affect the ability to function normally. Mental illness can make you feel very bad and cause problems in everyday life, such as at school, work, or in relationships.
Symptoms
Emotional and Behavioral:
- Feelings of sadness or Depression.
- Mood swings and drastic changes in mood.
- Withdrawal from friends and activities.
- Excessive anger, hostility, or violence.
- Suicidal thinking.
Cognitive:
- Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate.
- Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia, or hallucinations.
- Inability to cope with daily problems or stress.
- Trouble understanding and relating to situations and people.
Physical:
- Significant tiredness, low energy, or sleep problems.
- Major changes in eating habits.
- Changes in sex drive.
- Substance use problems.
Causes
Mental illnesses are generally considered to be caused by a variety of genetic and environmental factors:
Hereditary Attributes:
Mental illness is more common in people whose blood relatives also have a mental illness. Certain genes may increase the risk of developing a mental illness, and your life situation may trigger it.Prenatal Environmental Exposure:
Exposure to environmental stressors, inflammatory conditions, toxins, alcohol, or drugs while in the womb can sometimes be linked to mental illness.Brain Chemistry:
Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that carry signals to other parts of the brain and body. When the neural networks involving these chemicals are impaired, the function of nerve receptors and nervous systems changes, leading to Depression and other emotional disorders.
Prevention
There is no sure way to prevent mental illness. However, if you have a mental illness, taking steps to manage stress, increase your resilience, and boost your self-esteem may help control your symptoms. Consider these steps:
Pay Attention to Warning Signs:
Work with your doctor or therapist to learn what might trigger your symptoms. Make a plan so that you know what to do if symptoms return. Contact your doctor or therapist if you notice any changes in symptoms or how you feel.
Get Routine Medical Care:
Don’t neglect regular checkups with your primary care provider, especially if you aren’t feeling well. You may have a new health problem that needs to be treated, or you may be experiencing side effects of medication.
Get Help When You Need It:
Mental health conditions can be harder to treat if you wait until symptoms get worse. Long-term maintenance treatment also may help prevent a relapse of symptoms.
Take Good Care of Yourself:
Sufficient sleep, healthy eating, and regular physical activity are important. Try to maintain a regular schedule. Talk to your primary care provider if you have trouble sleeping or if you have questions about diet and physical activity.
When to See a Doctor
If you have any signs or symptoms of a mental illness, see your primary care provider or a mental health professional. Most mental illnesses don’t improve on their own, and if untreated, they can get worse over time and cause serious problems.
