Top 10 mental illness signs you shouldn’t ignore
Have you ever felt “off” for more than usual and thought to yourself “Screw it! I will feel okay when I feel okay.” If you have, then let me tell this is exactly the type of attitude that can seriously deteriorate your mental health. In this article are mentioned Top 10 mental illness signs you shouldn’t ignore. If you have even a single sign out of this list, you should pay more attention to your mental health as it is unwise to ignore even the smallest mental illness sign. However, before we start, remember that in case you are experiencing any one of the mental illness signs mentioned in the following text, it isn’t the end of the world. With adequate help and proper guidance, everything is manageable.
1) Intense sadness
If you are feeling sad due to the loss of a loved one or a serious breakup, it is absolutely natural. Feeling sad is an integral part of human nature. However, if you have been feeling intense sadness for a considerable amount of time (usually more than 2 weeks) then that raises a red flag. Just like other emotions sadness is supposed to go away after a while but if it clings on for too long, you should consider the possibility of some underlying problem and act accordingly.
2) Extreme mood swings
Be it as a result of our crush ignoring us or seeing the faces of ungrateful bosses, we all have a fair share of mood swings in daily life. Having occasional, short lived mood swings is harmless, but if you feel like a racing comet at one moment and a cry baby at the very next one, maybe it’s time to take a step back and evaluate the situation.
3) Constant anxiety
Constant anxiety is one of the most common mental illness signs. Let’s discuss in detail what I mean by that. If you are in a constant state of worry, and you think anxiously about even the minutest of problems then that qualifies as persistent anxiety. Think about it like this. Generally, you wouldn’t be too bothered about traffic, but if you have an underlying illness related to high anxiety , you might over concern yourself with thoughts like “what if traffic is jammed and I get late?” or “I am doomed if I get late due to traffic” etc.
4) Bouts of anger
Have you ever known someone who reminds you of a fire spitting dragon when they talk to you? My suggestion to you will be to go easy on them. They probably are facing a mental health problem and they may not even know it. Expressing anger occasionally is not a point for concern but frequent and extreme outbursts of anger are usually an indication that something is wrong. You may feel agitated at even the most minor of inconveniences. If that is the case you should consult a professional or look into anger management. Otherwise, it may affect your mental health adversely in the long run.
5) Isolation
Everyone struggling with grief or any other loss in life deserves to take a break from normal routine. You may want to stay home rolled up on your couch instead of spending a typically “lit” Friday night and that is totally your choice. However, if you find yourself in a situation where you consistently find excuses to avoid even your closest friends and family, then you may be struggling with some mental health problem that requires attention.
6) Difficulty performing daily tasks
When an individual has an underlying mental health condition, they can seem to struggle with even the most mundane tasks. Under such circumstances, going to work or even paying the bills can seem like a lot. If you have noticed such change in your life lately, under no circumstance is it acceptable to simply ignore it.
7) Irregular sleep patterns
People often think that individuals with mental health issues sleep related complain staring at the fan. Although there might be some truth to it, insomnia isn’t the only sleep related complain seen in these people. If you have been sleeping like a sloth lately or if you get up several times a night, you may unknowingly be struggling with some mental illness.
8) Hallucinations, delusions and nightmares
Mental illness often manifests as visual, auditory or some other hallucinations. People also often complain of nightmares while sleeping. Typically, while experiencing mental illness, you may counter abnormal sensations. If you often feel like “someone quickly ran away from the side” or “I heard someone talk and they suddenly vanished” you may have what are called hallucinations. In face of such problems, it is vital for you to reach out for proper management.
9) Stomach pain and loss of appetite
Stomach pain and loss of appetite are two of the most characteristic signs of major depression. One thing to note is that some people respond to depression by eating recklessly. So, if you fall into that category, do not invalidate that.
10) Suicidal thoughts
When mental illness reaches its peak, one of the most common signs to occur is occurrence of suicidal thoughts. In case you have suicidal thoughts or you want to harm yourself, immediately seek professional help.
Conclusion
Mental health is something that should not be taken lightly. Although the symptoms usually do not appear clearly to the common eye, mental illness can affect our lives in several major ways. However, do not panic if you have any of the above signs. The best thing for you to do is to see a therapist and apply some strategies in life that can help you cope with everyday situations. Also, note that if any of the above sign appears, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have mental illness. The sign and symptoms may occur due to excessive stress or some major changes in life.
References
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