The 5 Signs of Mental Illness

Mental illness, also known as mental health disorders are two broad ranges of many conditions that can affect a person’s overall mental health. Mental disorders can affect the mood, thinking, or behavior of an individual. Anxiety, depression, anxiety, and addiction are all common mental disorders and many of these can severely impact your ability to work, study, function, and maintain your quality of living.

Most mental disorders can be treated conservatively using medications and psychotherapy. One in five people could be affected by mental illness. You can develop mental illness at any age, whether you are a child or an adult.

The following are the five most obvious signs of mental illness:  

1. Excessive worry or paranoia   
2. Irritation or sadness that lasts a long time  
3. Extreme changes in moods  
4. Social withdrawal  
5. Dramatic changes in your eating and sleeping habits  

What are the signs of mental illness?

Depending on the severity of the condition and the mental disorder, signs of mental illness along with symptoms may vary.

The following are some signs and symptoms of mental health disorders:

• Feeling sad or unhappy  
• Inability to focus  
• Fears that are too high  
• Feelings of guilt that are not necessary  
• Severe mood swings  
• Easy irritable
• The tendency to respond with violence  
• Stepping away from friends and other activities  
• Inability to maintain relationships  
• Inability to study or work  
• Disorganized speech or rambling
• Feeling tired and lethargic  
• Insomnia (difficulty sleeping or excessive sleeping)  
• Detachment from reality  
• Delusions (false, sometimes unrealistic beliefs that a person holds on to despite evidence, such as believing they are God or that aliens read their minds, etc.)
• Paranoia  
• Hallucinations (having unreal experiences such as hearing voices, seeing things, feeling non-existent things on the skin, and having strange visions, etc.)
• Inability to deal with everyday problems or stress  
• Consuming excessive alcohol  
• Drug abuse    
• Excessive eating or loss of appetite  
• Decreased sex drive
• Suicidal Thinking (requires immediate medical care)  

What is the cause of mental illness?

It is not known what specifically causes mental illness other than traumatic events in life, things such as genetic or environmental factors, or even a combination of both.

• Genetic: Mental illnesses are more common among those with a family member who have previously or currently possess a mental illness. Some genes can be inherited which may increase the likelihood of developing one. Mental illness can be caused by environmental factors, psychological stressors, or other physical stresses.  
• Environment exposures before birth: Exposure to environmental stressors and inflammatory conditions, toxins or drugs while pregnant can raise the likelihood of developing mental illness later in life.  
• Brain chemistry altered: Neurotransmitters, chemicals found in the brain, are substances that transmit signals to the rest of our bodies. Disorders can result from the impairment of certain functions of neurotransmitters.  

What are the risks of developing a mental illness?

You may be at greater risk for mental illness if you have certain factors:

• A family history of mental illness  
• An personal past history of mental illness  
• Stress from stressful life situations (e.g., financial problems, losing a job, the death of a family member, divorce) can cause intense psychological and physical stress
• Traumatic experiences like sexual assault, war  
• Unpleasant childhood due bullying or abuse
• Chronic medical conditions, particularly those that are related to chronic pain or diseases affecting quality-of-life, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Cancer, Fibromyalgia 
• Trauma to your brain  
• Alcoholism, and/or Drug Abuse  

Contact us today for more information about mental health and awareness! We are here to help, educate, and guide those who are suffering through the process of healing and receiving treatment to better their lives.