Mental illness has been talked about more and more nowadays, but many people still do not know the early signs. Knowing the early signs is extremely important because it allows you to get yourself or the other person in your life the help they need.
Mental illnesses do not appear randomly and out of the blue, as some people assume. They are often there unnoticed for a long time. Learning about the early signs can prompt you to get treatment.
Early treatment is key because it can increase the quality of the person’s life and ensure they get the help they need before the illness becomes severe. Many teens are now struggling these days and teen treatment can be very helpful.
Early Signs of Mental Illness
Signs can get worse as the illness progresses, but in some cases, the person can exhibit the same signs and symptoms for years without them changing.
If you notice any of these early signs of mental illnesses, make sure you gently talk to the person and encourage them to get help. With this, you can visit https://cmha-yr.on.ca/about-us/ which offers a comprehensive range of services dedicated to educating the community about early signs of mental illness and providing accessible resources for those in need of assistance.
Changes in Mood
This is often one of the first signs that someone is suffering from a mental illness. Some mood changes from time to time are normal, but someone with a mental illness might have extreme mood changes, or their mood might change very suddenly.
Extreme mood swings can be a sign of several different mental illnesses, including major depressive disorder, personality disorders, and bipolar disorder.
Sometimes the changes in mood might also not be for a clear reason, and the person might not be able to change the way they feel even if the situation or circumstances change.
Rage or Anxiety
People with mental illnesses are not able to regulate their emotions well. Many people might feel anxious, and they are not able to reduce their anxiety. They might feel anxiety for no reason. Keep in mind that some anxiety is normal, including situational anxiety, such as being anxious about an upcoming life change.
Mental illness can also present itself as rage. Extreme rage cannot be controlled, and the person may feel like they are always angry. Another thing to keep in mind is that rage can be a sign of depression.
People with depression do not always feel sad or down; instead, they can be irritable, angry, or have uncontrollable rage.
No Energy
Having a lack of energy all the time is a sign of mental illness. This is because mental health issues like depression and anxiety often cause fatigue and lack of energy. Depression can often make it difficult to sleep as well, even though the person might feel tired for the majority of the day.
If someone has bipolar disorder, they can also have episodes of depression which are made worse by not sleeping enough. As you can see, this is a vicious cycle that can make it hard for the person to manage everyday life.
Not Wanting to Be Around Friends and Family
Not wanting to be social and avoiding those you normally love to spend time with is a clear sign of mental health. If you find that you have a friend or loved one never coming out anymore or always rejecting your invitations, it might be a sign that they are having some mental health problems.
Oftentimes, those struggling with mental health feel too tired or anxious to go out. They might also just feel like they want to be home alone.
New Substance Abuse
If someone is suddenly drinking more often or they have started using drugs, this might be a sign that they are trying to cope with or manage mental illnesses. For example, some people drink because it makes them less anxious or it makes them forget about their depression.
This can quickly lead to addiction because the person feels better when they are drinking or on drugs. They might want to start using substances all the time in an effort to numb their pain or anxiety.
Low Sex Drive
It’s normal for your sex drive to change throughout different phases of life. However, if you or your loved one has experienced significant changes in sex drive, it might be related to mental health.
People who have depression often experience low sex drive or no desire to ever have sex. Low sexual desire can greatly impact your relationships with your spouse or significant other. So, it’s important to bring the concerns up with your doctor or therapist so they can make a plan of action.
On the other hand, those with bipolar disorder might have hypersexuality and then, in turn, have a very high sex drive. This can also cause them to make poor decisions, including having unprotected sex, which can lead to pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.
Unexplained and Sudden Physical Illnesses
Even though mental illnesses mostly affect the mind, they can also affect your physical well-being. For some, the only symptoms and signs they might have are physical, including muscle aches, stomach aches, digestive problems, and even back pain.
If you notice these issues in yourself or a loved one, make sure to get help.
Not Able to Manage Stress
It’s normal for everyone to feel stressed from time to time. It’s a normal part of life. What’s not normal, though, is when someone cannot manage their stress effectively. There is no right way to manage stress, but those with mental illnesses are often not able to manage stress at all.
They might be constantly worrying, or they might have worsening episodes of anxiety and depression when stress comes along.
Managing stress is a key part of life, and it’s something therapists can help you do.
Final Thoughts
These signs of mental illnesses can happen in anyone of any age, including teens. If you notice your teen having any of these signs, it’s important to seek help for them right away.
Seeking counseling is often the first thing to do since therapists and psychologists are experienced in looking for signs of mental illnesses and giving people the right treatment options.
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