Symptoms of mental illness may go unnoticed at first. They can be almost invisible to the person suffering from them and even to their environment. These situations are likely to be temporary; however, when the signs persist over time, they may be an indication of a somewhat more serious disorder.
Some of these symptoms can be detected early, so they are treated relatively quickly and prevent them from developing. However, on other occasions this is not the case and treatment becomes more difficult.
Let’s go deeper.
10 Symptoms Of Mental Illness That Are A Warning Sign
By observing some behaviors and habits, some mental dysfunctions can be appreciated.
Next, we’ll look at some symptoms that could be indicative of the existence of a mental illness.
1. Sleep disturbances
The inability to have restful rest is one of the most frequent symptoms. It includes the different extremes, such as insomnia or the feeling of continuous sleep. They can also manifest through sleepwalking or nightmares.
2. Phobias
Among the symptoms of mental illnesses, phobias occupy a very important place. The best known are the fears of leaving the house, relating to others or sharing a place with the crowd. There is also phobias specific to some animal, object, or situation.
Let’s not forget that phobias directly influence the behaviors and the possibility of adaptation to the environment by the patient affected by these symptoms.
3. Mood changes with no apparent meaning
Sadness, anxiety, nervousness, irritability, or extreme joy are other important symptoms to look out for. Switching from one emotion to another exaggeratedly can be an indication that something is wrong.
4. Distortion of reality
Those with a mental illness they can see a different reality than the one perceived by the rest of the people. This is not the expression of inappropriate political, sexual or religious differences, but a real dysfunction, according to Dr. Selvini.
A more extreme example of this is the well-known delusions or hallucinations. Some people, such as those with schizophrenia, can experience these episodes.
5. Changes in eating habits
Eating disorders are also included in mental illnesses. Some people start eating without limits no matter how much your body and health deteriorate.
Others, on the other hand, give up food because they think they are always overweight. In this way eating problems such as anorexia appear.
6. Addictions
Another symptom of mental illness is uncontrolled substance abuse or other activities. Luckily, addictions are vices that can be reversed with work and psychological support.
Practically, it is very difficult for the addict himself to notice the dysfunction or disorder. This category includes smoking, drug addiction, alcoholism, compulsive gambling, etc.
7. Sexual desires
Decreased sex drive can be related to some diseases, like depression, according to the ANAED Foundation (National Assistance in Aid to Depressive Patients).
Likewise, there are other signs related to sexual habits that indicate a possible disease. The most recurrent are certain paraphilias.
8. Cognitive or memory impairments
Difficulty understanding or relating tasks, people, or situations is also an alarm. The same happens with progressive memory loss.
Some patients begin to note that they have forgotten the lights on, do not know acquaintances, etc. It is a symptom that needs to be treated quickly. to avoid accidents and further psychological damage.
9. Excess of hostility and anger
The inability to cope with stressful situations causes unmanageable hostility. Therefore, the attacks of anger are greater and it is possible that they end in acts of violence.
If the urges are not controlled, they will eventually cause serious consequences. in work, personal and social relationships.
10. Thoughts of suicide
The recurring desire to end one’s life is one of the most obvious symptoms. Anxiety, the feeling of worthlessness or the impossibility of adapting attract the idea of ​​suicide. In these cases, it is important to ask for help and not isolate yourself.
take into account
there are some risk factors that may affect symptoms, but they are not decisive:
- Experience of traumatic situations
- Environment of violence or neglect
- Previous mental illness
- An injury that caused brain damage
- stressful situations
Mental illnesses are more common than we realize. They appear at any age and regardless of social class, profession or culture. In most cases, help is needed to manage or heal the condition.
Therefore, we advise you, if this is your case, go to a psychologist. This will give you all the guidance, support and advice you need to be able to deal with these problems.
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