Signs of mental illness that should never be ignored

The truth behind the title is that we never want to ignore the signs of mental illness, whether in ourselves, or others. Most individuals are not able to diagnose themselves, yet our observations will be the first wave of information qualified healthcare professionals will use to put the right evaluation into motion. It is not a suggestion to “watchdog” those around us, or fixate on our daily routines, only register changes, and react with the same brevity, compassion, even urgency, when needed.

The attitudes that have been held in regard to mental illness previously have often been linked to fear, misunderstanding, and shame. Time, education, and experience have brought many advancements in the conclusions reached by the clinicians of today. It is now known that 1 in 5 individuals will experience mental illness or instability during their lifetime. Understanding the root causes through individual examination can help people receive treatment, and many can recover. This is powerful motivation. Suicide is currently the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, and globally, every country is impacted when people lack care.

Empowering ourselves with knowledge of the signs of mental illness is the first step. There are behaviors that immediately put people at risk, and many that escalate into circumstances that have a detrimental impact in families, careers, and financially as well.

It can be common to rationalize any of the following occurring for a day or two, and they do seem milder, and more difficult to track. When issues are happening for two weeks at a time, it is clearly no longer a reaction to a bad day, or benign.

Signs and Symptoms

• Tiredness, deep fatigue, lacking energy to complete tasks

• Feelings of sadness, or down, without plausible explanation

• Inability to concentrate

• Confusion, experiencing a disconnected emotional state

• Staying away from social situations

• Changes in appetite, eating too much or not eating

• Euphoria, then suddenly feeling very low, without indicators

• Anxious, fearful, extremely worried

• Putting off sleep, or sleeping excessively

• Accelerated loss of ability to handle standard daily situations

• Irritability, overly stressed

• Physical pain, discomfort, gastrointestinal problems

• Delusional thoughts and beliefs, hallucinations

• Apathy, not caring about anything

A vital component in helping someone you care for seek evaluation is to be supportive and positive, and eliminate anything that could prevent them from accepting it when you share your concerns. Communicating that you have noticed things have been different and giving them consistent support will most likely be a key part of their improvement and overall recovery from the illness.

If you become aware that you are experiencing any of the signs and symptoms of mental illness, remember that there is no shame in being helped with anything that happens with any part of your body, and that includes your mind. Many neurological disorders are augmented by real problems with sleep and nutrition, and it is best when this is addressed in conjunction with antecedent events and biology before symptoms become worse.

There are hundreds of mental disorders. The only ones able to quantify them are trained, licensed people. This next list are signs of mental illness that not only should never be ignored, but most likely would be difficult to ignore. Some neurological illness can put the person going through it in jeopardy, and those around them. Not all people are going to require medication, yet some psychosis is only moderated by the use of prescriptions and talk therapy, and barring alcohol and unprescribed drug use.

Urgent Signs and Symptoms

• Thoughts of dying, and feeling hopeless, suicidal

• Not sleeping at all

• Giving away valuable possessions and money

• Thinking they can do anything, especially dangerous stunts

• Having sex without caution, with strangers or unprotected

• Violent behaviors

• Abusive use of alcohol or drugs

• Extremely aggressive and angry, threatening

There are conditions that can manifest in violence, though usually only when that condition is untreated, or exacerbated by drug or alcohol use. Mental illness can be chronic when it is not addressed, and for individuals with a history of violence, they can be prone to violence during psychotic episodes. It is a resounding truth that it is not strangers, but friends and loved ones, who will be hurt in the event of violent psychotic episodes. It is imperative to follow some simple guidelines if you are there when there is agitation and aggression.

• Remain calm as possible, and keep your voice level.

• It is a prudent idea to come up with a plan of action in advance because they need help, such as calling mental health crisis, physician, or police if there is the slightest suggestion the safety of others is threatened with actions or words.

• It is a good idea to walk away or leave completely to give the individual security so that they will not feel trapped or afraid.

• Leave the residence and return later.

The stigma that has existed in relation to how mental health is addressed is one reason for the delay in some seeking help for themselves or another person, though it is a dangerous choice to hold back. The best advice to maintain quality of life, and indeed, life itself, is not ignoring that many of us will face periods of some kind of mental instability. The consequences of failing to be attentive to the needs of those within our circle of influence are too great.

The good news is that circumventing discomfort and tragedy is less painful than permitting it to happen, and those in the role of facing mental disorders with those afflicted should also seek counseling and aid. The choice to speak up and reach out is not an easy one, but doing it while we are in a position of keeping bad from becoming the worst can be one of the most rewarding things about advocating for transparency in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders.