warning signs of mental illness | causes of mental illness

 

 warning signs of mental illness | Causes of mental illness

warning signs of mental illness

Mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder can be difficult and affect a person's quality of life. It is important to understand that these diseases rarely appear "out of the blue". Often, small changes in an individual's thinking, feeling, or behavior are the first signs of an impending illness. 

 

 Knowing the developing symptoms or warning signs of mental illness and taking action can help ensure prompt treatment. Early intervention can reduce the severity of illness, prevent disruption to quality of life, and may even delay or completely prevent serious mental illness.

 

 Here are some  warning signs of mental illness to watch out for: 

 

Changes in sleep or appetite 
Significant changes in sleep or appetite, or decreased ability to take care of yourself itself may be a sign of a developing mental illness.

Mood swings 
Rapid or sudden mood swings, irritability, or feelings of depression can be signs of impending illness.

 Withdrawal
Recent social withdrawal and loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed may be a sign of a developing mental illness.

Functional impairment 
Abnormal functional impairment in school, work, or social activities, such as dropping out of sports, academic failure, or difficulty performing familiar tasks could be a warning sign.  
 
Thinking problems 
Problems with concentration, memory, or logical thinking and hard-to-understand speech can be warning signs.
 
Hypersensitivity 
Increased sensitivity to sight, sound, smell, or touch and avoidance of overstimulating situations can be an early warning signs. 
 
Apathy 
Loss of initiative or unwillingness to participate in an activity can be a warning sign. 
 
 Feeling disconnected 
A vague feeling of disconnection from self or surroundings, and a sense of unreality can be a sign of a developing mental illness. 
 
Irregular thinking 
Unusual or exaggerated beliefs about an individual's ability to make sense of or influence events, or illogical or "magical" thoughts typical of childhood in adults could be an early warning sign.  
 
Stress 
Fear or distrust of others or strong feelings of stress can be a warning signs.
 
Unusual behavior 
Strange, unusual, or peculiar behavior can be a warning sign. 
 
Changes at school or work 
Increased absenteeism, reduced work performance, and difficulty keeping in touch with friends and colleagues may be signs of a growing mental illness. develop. 

 

It is important to note that one or two of these symptoms cannot predict mental illness, but they may indicate a need for further evaluation. If a person has had it more than once and the symptoms cause serious problems with their ability to study, work, or relate to others, they should be seen by a doctor or mental health professional. Individuals with suicidal thinkings or intentions or thoughts of damaging others need primary attention.

 

Take action and get help 

Early intervention is essential to prevent what could become a serious mental illness. More than a decade of research around the world has shown that early intervention can minimize or delay symptoms, prevent hospitalization, and improve prognosis.

What causes mental health problems? 

 Mental health problems can have many causes. There's probably a complicated mix of factors for many people, although some things may affect different people more than others. 

 

For example, the following factors can potentially lead to a period of  mental illness: 

 

•  Child abuse, trauma, or neglect 

•  Social isolation or loneliness 

•  Discrimination and stigma, including racism 

•  Social disadvantage, poverty, or indebtedness 

•  Bereavement (loss of a loved one) 

•  Severe or ongoing stress 

•  Long-term physical health  

•  Unemployment or  job loss 

•  Homelessness or inadequate housing 

•  Long-term care 

•  Drug and alcohol addiction 

•  Domestic violence, bullying, or other abuse in childhood and adulthood 

Major traumatic events in adulthood such as a military battle, being involved in a serious life-threatening accident, or being the victim of a violent crime 

physical causes - for example, a head injury or a neurological condition such as epilepsy can affect your behavior and mood. (It is important to rule out possible physical causes before proceeding with treatment of a mental health issue.)

Although lifestyle factors, including work, diet, drugs, and lack of sleep, can affect mental health, other factors are usually present when mental health problems occur. 

My depression seems to build up when I'm stressed and isolated from others. 

 

Are mental health problems hereditary? 

Research suggests that some mental health problems can be inherited. For example, if you maintain a parent with schizophrenia, you are more likely to deliver schizophrenia yourself. But no one knows if it's because of our genes or other factors like the environment we grow up in or the way we think, show up, and behave that we can learn from our parents. 

 

Although our genes can influence the development of some mental health problems, scientists have not found a specific gene that definitely causes mental health problems. 

 

Many individuals with mental health problems do not have parents, youths, or other families with the same illness. 

 

Is brain chemistry a factor? 

The human brain is extremely complex. Some study recommends that mental health problems may be related to modifications in certain brain chemicals (like serotonin and dopamine). But nobody really understands how or why. 

The arguments that brain chemistry is the cause of mental health problems are very weak.  But while there's no hard evidence that mental health problems are caused by chemical imbalances in our brains, we can see that some people still use brain chemistry to explain them.

The following possibilities might be the reason:

Some psychiatric medications operate on chemicals in the brain, and there is a lot of evidence that medication can be beneficial in treating some symptoms of mental health disorders (but drugs don't work the same way for everyone).

Because mental health issues can feel extremely personal and difficult to explain, the concept that there could be a specific physical basis for problematic thoughts, feelings, and behaviors may make it feel easier to communicate honestly about your experiences and ask for support.