Intro
Many people deal with mental illnesses. These range from depression, anxiety, to bipolar disorder (etc.). Yet, not everyone knows they live with a mental disorder. Just as there are signs of learning disabilities in adults, there are also signs of a mental illness in adults.
There are many types of mental illnesses. Some of the most widely known are bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Additionally, there are subtypes of these conditions that people may deal with (i.e. several different anxiety disorders). In order to treat any condition properly, it’s important to know what type of mental illness a person has.
Reasons for Mental Illness
The reasons people deal with mental illness are varied. In some cases, the issue is purely genetic. Mental disorders may run in their family. In other cases, the mental illness is caused by environment (home, school, career, location, etc.).
The onset of mental illness is different for each individual. For instance, it’s not uncommon for children to have mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. Some children deal with a mental disorder as early as their toddler years. Others develop the disorder in their late elementary or teen years. If not treated during childhood, though, these mental health issues may persist into adulthood. Other people develop mental health issues in their adult life life.
Symptoms of Mental Illness
Mental illness affects all areas of life. It inhibits your ability to live freely and independently. Therefore, it becomes critical to recognize the signs of a mental illness. Luckily, there are identifiers in many different areas.
The four major areas we will be examining are personal wellbeing, interpersonal relationships, school and career. Listed below are some symptoms that indicate a mental illnesses.
Personal Well Being:
- Extreme sadness
- Suicidal thinking
- Problems with drug or alcohol usage
- Mental detachment from reality
- Inability to cope with problems
- Weight changes
Interpersonal Relationships:
- Trouble relating to people
- Excessive worrying about past situations
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Avoidance of people
- Mental detachment from reality
- Inability to handle conflict with other people
School:
- Difficulty with school
- Fluctuating grades
- Having a hard time showing up for classes
- Inability to finish a semester
Career:
- Difficulty holding down a job
- Changing jobs frequently
- Having a hard time moving up the ladder within your job
- Difficulty showing up on time to your job
Everyone, at some point in their life, has experienced some of these emotions. Not everyone who deals with these issues has a mental illness, though. But, if you do experience several of these problems, you might want to seek help. It’s important to seek the opinion of an expert (therapist or doctor) to get a professional opinion.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/signs-mental-illness