Warning Signs of Mental Illnesses
How do you know if you’re suffering from symptoms of mental illnesses and if it’s time to seek help? It’s important that we educate ourselves on the common warning signs and symptoms of mental illnesses so we can understand our own mental wellbeing and our loved ones as well.
Trying to understand the symptoms you are feeling is not an easy feat. There is no multiple-choice test that can tell you if and what mental illnesses you are suffering from. A lot of signs and symptoms are similar across various mental and physical illnesses but vary greatly in severity and frequency with individual people.
You do not need to wait until the symptoms you are experiencing are debilitating before seeking help from a licensed therapist. Whatever you are going through, your feelings are valid and you deserve support. Things do not need to get “serious” before you take the next step of finding help.
However, if you are starting to feel concerned about your mental wellbeing or you are noticing changes in your mood and behavior, there are some common warning signs to watch out for.
How can you tell the difference between mild and serious mental health symptoms?
Let’s look at some examples.
If you have a big exam coming up in school, feeling mild anxiety about the test is normal. However, if the anxiety you’re experiencing is so serious that you decide to skip school and avoid the test all together, then you are experiencing a more serious case of anxiety. Anxiety so severe that it causes physical symptoms or disrupts your everyday routine is a good indicator that it’s time to seek support.
Another example would be going through a breakup. Having a few days of intense sadness and staying isolated in your home does not necessarily indicate depression. However, those feelings of sadness and loneliness extending past a couple weeks and disrupting your routines for extended periods of time could point to signs of depression.
It’s always important to look at the context when trying to understand your mental wellbeing. Mental health professionals typically measure the severity of a mental health issue by what impact it’s having on someone’s everyday life and by looking at the circumstances of what caused the issue. Typically, when someone is experiencing a mild mental health issue, it doesn’t affect their daily routines too much. When a case is more serious, that’s when a person’s relationships, routines, and performance in work or school is impacted.
What are some common mental health symptoms to watch out for?
As stated earlier, the signs and symptoms of mental health issues can vary greatly. Every person is unique and experiences feelings and pain differently. That being said, here is a list of symptoms that can indicate a change in mental wellbeing or a mental health issue.
· Changes or loss in appetite
· Changes in sleep habits: sleeping too much or too little
· Rapid changes in mood
· Withdrawing from relationships or hobbies
· Drop in functioning in school or work
· Problems with concentration
· Heightened sensitivity
· Feelings of apathy
· Illogical thinking
· Paranoia: Believing your loved ones or organizations are out to get you
This is not an exhaustive list. There are many ways someone who is experiencing mental health issues can feel symptoms. These feelings can be distressing and hard to cope with, but with the right support you can make positive steps toward recovery. If your symptoms are affecting your everyday life, consider seeking help.
If you or someone you love is struggling with their mental health, please reach out to us. Our team of therapists is here to provide support and guidance. We look forward to connecting with you.
