Have you been feeling overly anxious lately? Perhaps you've been eating less
or have been feeling down. Sometimes you might read all about mental illnesses online and how it affects people, but then you find yourself at a loss for the signs and what to look out for in those who may be experiencing symptoms of mental illness.
You might be wanting to help a friend
or are worried about them but just don't know what to do.
Before we begin, I would like to mention that this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute a professional diagnosis.
If you suspect you may have a mental health condition, I highly advise you to seek help from a qualified mental health professional.
So if you want to be more informed about the warning signs of a mental illness,
Here are eight early warning signs.
Number one, excessive fear or anxiety.
Do you tremble at the thought of doing a presentation? Whether it's a fear of going out, a phobia of heights, or anxiety talking to people, extreme mood swings, or persistent anxiety
can be a warning sign of a mental illness, such as depression or bipolar disorder.
This kind of fear may be persistent
and at times, it may not even have a particular trigger. You may experience physiological symptoms, such as fatigue, tension, shaking, trembling, or gastrointestinal irritation.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one way that may help you manage your anxiety and fears.
Number two, social withdrawal.
Have you been canceling all your plans recently? Perhaps you've just been feeling exhausted lately or have no interest in socializing and meet other people.
Living with a mental illness is difficult
as it can often rob your desire to be around or interact with others. This may lead to a habit of withdrawing
and isolating yourself from your friends or family, which may worsen your mental well-being.
If you experience social avoidance
as a cause of a mental health illness,
you may find it helpful to work with a therapist on techniques to help you cope with this anxiety, such as meditation, mindfulness, and deep breathing exercises.
Number three, changes in sleeping or eating habits.
Are you having sleeping problems?
According to a study conducted,
subjects who experienced sleep insufficiency reported mental distress, depressive symptoms, and physical pain.
Although we have much to learn about the exact neurological connection between sleep and mental health, scientists, physicians, and therapists have come to understand that it is vital to your health.
Sleep is a regenerative period for your body, as it enables you to think, learn and process emotions better. Similarly, the appetite of response can change due to a mental health issue.
During a mental health episode, emotional turmoil can cause people to overeat or avoid eating altogether.
Number four, difficulty perceiving reality.
Have you experienced any hallucinations? Another early warning sign of a mental illness is difficulty perceiving reality.
The symptoms can range from delusions, maladaptive daydreaming to auditory or visual hallucinations.
Difficulties in perceiving reality usually
are a precursor for psychosis, which is a disruption between how your brain processes the world and the narrative inside your head.
Those with bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder often experience psychotic episodes.
Seeking early medical attention might be beneficial in preventing the psychosis from getting worse.
A professional may suggest talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy
as the most preferred form of treatment.
Number five, increasing inability to cope with daily problems.
Another early warning sign is an increasing inability to cope with daily problems. Despite the ambivalent research available, some studies point to low-stress tolerance as part of the cost, though there is no definitive way
of measuring distress tolerance.
It is safe to say that markers of distress, such as irritability,
are present during or before a mental illness.
There are several articles regarding the links between stress and mental illness. A study found an interesting connection between prolactin, stress, and mental health.
Although the research focuses on schizophrenia, it can also apply to other mental illnesses. The interesting thing about prolactin is that it is regulated by dopamine, which is another hormone.
Low levels of dopamine can be a sign of mental illness, but it can also cause stress. Combined with prolactin, it can lead to more stress which can cause or exacerbate a mental illness.
However, because stress and mental illness have overlapping symptoms,
researchers find it difficult to figure out which came first, the stress of the illness.
Number six, a drop in overall performance as a result of stress and poor sleep.
Another sign of mental illness is a drop
in overall performance. This symptom can look like an inability to complete work, but it can also look like choosing
to neglect your well-being, such as foregoing personal hygiene.
Performance is not always work-related. Mental illness can lead you to perform poorly in your own life, or you may procrastinate more often, have difficulty getting up in the mornings
and even experience depersonalization.
Number seven, unexplained physical symptoms.
Do you bounce or skip when you're excited? Or perhaps you tense up when you're afraid. Like how you physically manifest your emotions, many mental illnesses also have physiological symptoms.
Some physical cues include headaches or migraines, fatigue, digestive issues, and muscle soreness. Recently,
there has been a lot of research linking chronic pain to mental illness.
On a neurological level, the neurotransmitters, specifically serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, are implicated in pain control and other factors to take into account.
There is no doubt that chronic pain
and mental illness are connected. Hence you may want to be more mindful if you find yourself experiencing unexplainable physical pains or aches.
Number eight, unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Lastly, a warning sign of mental illness
has unhealthy coping mechanisms. Some frequent examples of unhealthy coping mechanisms are
substance abuse, impulsive shopping, alcoholism, or cutting.
You may engage in these behaviors
in an attempt to manage your symptoms. However, healthier alternatives, such as meditating, journaling, and exercise, may prove to be a better way to help you cope.
Not all mental illnesses are the same.
They all have varying criteria
and present their own set of challenges.
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