12 Mental Illness Signs You Should NOT Ignore

12 Mental Illness Signs You Should NOT Ignore

Mental illness can present itself in  many different ways. And while some mental health disorders can be extremely apparent, others may be much harder to detect. Someone can seem well put together, but they may be having trouble getting out of bed  in the morning - or struggling even to smile. Or, it can be a moody teenager who seems to get  more and more reclusive as the days go by. If you think you or a loved one might be  suffering from some form of mental illness, you need to stay aware and see if you  notice any of the following warning signs.

Number 1 - Stomach Pain

Having recurring stomach pain is  usually a symptom of indigestion, acid reflux, or a variety of other things, but  getting sudden stomach aches during times of anxiety could be a sign of poor mental health. People often refer to feeling anxious or nervous as “having a knot” in their stomachs.  And, there’s an explanation for this. Studies show that your gut has a deep connection  to your brain. When you’re feeling anxious, your brain tells your digestive  tract to slow down - conserving energy to deal with whatever threat  is making your stress levels rise. This often leads to stomach  cramps, pain, and bloating.

Number 2 - Chronic Pain

Your gut will be the first to be affected by the  decline of your mental health, but ignoring the signs and staying complacent will lead to the  rest of your body feeling the effects as well. Studies suggest that people who have depression  are much more likely to experience chronic pain. There’s an overlap between the parts of the brain  that process depression and pain. Therefore, physical pain can be exacerbated  by emotional pain and vice versa. This is the reason why most anti-depressants  also function as pain killers.

Number 3 - Serious Lack Of Motivation

Most people view depression as  feeling sad all the time - but its a much more complex condition that  presents itself in many different ways. One of the most common symptoms is a  significant fluctuation in motivation. People with severe depression often can’t even  find the motivation to get out of bed - let alone perform regular chores and basic self-care. They often tell friends and family members that there’s just no point in doing these activities. Of course, feeling bored or not having momentum happens to everyone occasionally. But  if you find yourself or someone you know unable to complete simple daily tasks,  professional help should be sought out.

Number 4 - Manic Periods

Experiencing high energy episodes where you  lose sleep or feel invincible could be a sign that you have a type of bipolar disorder.  You may also become highly productive, erratic, or easily distracted. Mania resulting from a bipolar disorder can feel like a ‘high’. These episodes often become detrimental if you do things that need to be rectified  later once you’ve come down - such as overspending or making impulsive decisions. Anyone experiencing mania should speak to a doctor and learn about what they  can do to help manage their moods.

Number 5 - Paranoia

This sign can be more challenging to recognize  in yourself. The slow descent into madness can seem justified when it’s your own mind,  and everyone seems to be against you. This is why intense paranoia is typically  first noticed by those closest to someone who’s experiencing it - instead of the  person becoming aware of it on their own. If your thoughts have shifted and you’ve begun  to feel like you’re being followed or watched, or that people are trying to  hurt you and you can’t trust anyone - not even your own family -  you’re likely experiencing paranoia. Now, paranoia doesn’t automatically  equal schizophrenia or something similar; it could be because of a delusional  disorder or anxiety disorder. But regardless of what is causing  the paranoia, you should get an assessment if it’s starting to impede your  judgment or making you fear for your life.

Number 6 - Compulsions And Fear-Based Behavior

Do you have a crippling fear that’s stopping  you from going to public places or engaging in certain situations? Perhaps you actively  shape your life around your fear. Or, maybe you even have specific daily rituals  that wouldn’t make sense to anyone but you. Experiencing any one of these could be an  indicator that you have some type of anxiety disorder that has gotten out of hand and become  a full-blown problem that requires attention. Having your life controlled by your fears and  anxieties is not a life anyone wants to live. Spending your time avoiding your fears means  you don’t have time to accomplish your goals. This is definitely something that  needs to be addressed - to avoid the situation from becoming worse. It will probably be easier than you think to turn things around - perhaps all that’s  required is a small nudge in the right direction.

Number 7 - Serious Anhedonia

The term Anhedonia means losing interest  in everything - including activities that you usually enjoy - and it’s a sign  that you may be developing depression. If you find yourself no longer interested in  doing things you enjoy, and you can’t figure out why, you should probably be concerned. It’s no big deal if you had a reason for it - as it’s natural to change interests  from time to time. But if for no reason, you suddenly drop everything that gives  you joy, that’s when it becomes an issue. Abandoning all activities or  hobbies that you’re passionate about is a matter of concern that  calls for a visit to your doctor.

Number 8 - Weight Changes

Everyone wants to have a perfect body. Of course, that is subjective, and perfection can mean different things to different people. It might mean gaining a few pounds or losing a few pounds. And while trying to stay fit  is good, extreme weight fluctuation isn’t. Excessive weight loss or weight  gain can be associated with severe depression or an eating disorder. Behavioral and environmental stress can cause people to use food for comfort -  resulting in substantial weight gain. While other mental health disorders - like depression -  can lead to a steep loss of appetite and weight. If you are experiencing either of these extremes,  you should get a mental health assessment.

Number 9 - Sleeping Too Much Or Not Enough

Sleep is one of the most important necessities, but 10-18% of the population has  trouble getting the right amount. That said, sleep deprivation or oversleeping  occurs more often in people with mental illness. According to studies, about half of patients  who suffer from disorders like ADHD, depression, anxiety, or bipolar, have  some form of insomnia or hypersomnia.

Number 10 - Self-Punishing Thoughts

Self-deprecation is never good, and  continually having negative thoughts about your appearance or abilities  is another sign of mental illness. Negative thought patterns are easy to fall  into, and almost impossible to break out of. If these intrusive thoughts start to become more  and more common, you may need professional help. Self-punishing thoughts can be a product  of mood and anxiety disorders. Constantly berating yourself isn’t normal or healthy -  and nobody should have to try and live with it.

Number 11 - Hallucinations

Many different things can cause hallucinations  - drugs being the most common, of course. But neurological issues like epilepsy or  migraines, vision loss, and even extreme solitude can also result in hallucinations. If you’ve been taking a prescription medication that has this side effect,  it may not be that big of a deal. But, seeing things that aren’t there or experiencing  other auditory or tactile hallucinations without cause, definitely raises concern. Regardless of why the hallucinations are happening, they are a clear sign that your  brain isn’t functioning the way it should. So, it’s best to get examined soon, to  make sure there aren’t any underlying conditions - even if the hallucinations  aren’t affecting you negatively.

Number 12 - Self-Hatred Or Destructive Behavior

This is another behavioral pattern that might not  be too obvious unless pointed out by someone else. If you’re actively indulging in self-destructive  behavior that could be seriously harming you or someone else, it’s best to seek  professional help to try and figure out why. Self-destructive behavior can manifest in many  different ways - sabotaging yourself at work, during an important project, or in your  romantic relationship. This also includes excessive self-isolation and engaging in high-risk  activities like drugs or other illegal things. If you sabotage or punish yourself often,  know that it’s not normal or healthy, and you should try to stop and  seek advice from a professional. Unfortunately, mental health usually isn’t  taken as seriously as physical health. And while we ARE making serious advancements in  recognizing mental illness, people still neglect resolving their psychological issues. They fear  being called “crazy” or being put on medication. But mental health problems can be  just as dangerous as physical ones. Most people don’t realize that if the  problems are left untreated for an extended period, they can cause severe damage. So, if you see a loved one exhibiting any of these signs, or you find them in yourself,  it’s a good idea to find a professional to answer your questions and help to manage your  mental illness - if you end up being diagnosed. Dealing with mental illness can seem like an  impossible task, but with a little awareness and support, you can overcome your obstacles -  and help your loved ones overcome theirs as well. As always, we want to know what  you think. 

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