Mental illness, also known as mental health issues or mental disorders, are various psychological health problems that affect an individual’s mood, thinking, and behavior. Being gloomy all the time, changes in behavior, loss of appetite, alcohol consumption, substance abuse, etc., are a few clear-cut signs of impending mental illness. That said, sometimes, these signs show up individually. However, most of the time, they come as a complete package.
Mental illness can affect people’s ability to live their lives to their fullest while making them miserable and hindering their day-to-day activities. However, symptoms related to mental health illness are manageable with the right combination of medicine and psychological therapy. That said, certain symptoms might ring an alarm bell that it is now time to acquire professional help from a psychiatrist or a psychologist. However, you have to know what these signals and signs are in the first place.
If you think you have a mental health issue but cannot identify the signs and signals, you have come to the right place. Today, we will share a few mental health signals that your body can give you. Some of these signs and signals are listed down below.
1. You Lose Interest
Mental illness, such as depression, can take the fun and joy out of activities that an individual usually enjoys. Loss of interest or withdrawal from fun activities such as going to the movies, hanging out with friends, playing sports, or anything you’re passionate about is another alarming signal that a person suffers from major mental illnesses. Another activity individuals can lose interest in is sex. Again, such a thing results in a decreased sex drive, which leads to impotence, especially in males. So, in case of such an issue, contact your local specialist.
Thankfully, mental health has been getting more acknowledgment these days. Due to the rising awareness, healthcare administration authorities are hiring more people with relevant degrees, like a master’s in public health online. This has been a great step as it shone a brighter light on mental health and made a more prominent place for it in the overall healthcare system.
2. You’ll Experience Heart Palpitations
Typical signs of mental health issues such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) include tension, nervousness, and increased heart rate, also known as heart palpitations. When you experience heart palpitations, it’ll feel like your heart is fluttering, pounding, or racing. Sometimes, you’ll also feel as if your heart is skipping beats. If these palpitations aren’t a result of arrhythmia (i.e., a heart rhythm disorder), it might be possible that you are suffering from anxiety.
3. You’ll Experience Fatigue and Sleeping Issues
The main reason individuals stop participating in activities they love is that they are too tired all the time. Mental illness leads to a lack of energy and often results in an overwhelming feeling of fatigue. And because of this, these individuals also experience sleeping issues. Mental illness leads to sleep issues such as insomnia. Both are intertwined with each other. If you experience sleep issues, you will become mentally ill at one point. And if you are mentally ill, you’ll most definitely experience sleeping issues. Also, one issue will make the other one worse. For example, If you don’t get enough sleep, you’ll end up being depressed and anxious. And if you’re feeling depressed, you may have trouble sleeping.
4. You Suffer from Constant Headaches
You aren’t alone if you’re suffering from anxiety or depression headaches. In fact, around 80 percent of all people in this world will suffer from a headache at least once in their life. Occasionally, people who are depressed usually suffer from headaches and severe migraines. These headaches can come around any time of the day and leave you unprepared due to their unpredictability. So, if you want to confirm whether or not you are mentally ill, constant headaches or migraines are a signal your body might usually give you.
5. You’ll Experience Changes in Appetite & Body Weight
Weight and appetite often fluctuate in mentally ill individuals. However, such a thing can vary from individual to individual. For example, some people will lose weight after experiencing a loss of appetite, while some will gain tons of weight due to increased appetite. Though people usually cut down on calories or increase their food intake intentionally, if a loss or gain of appetite isn’t intentional, it means the person in question may have a mental illness of some type, like an eating disorder.
6. You’ll Feel Irritated ALL The Time
Mental illness often affects males and females differently. For example, males with mental health issues such as bipolar disorder might experience abusive behavior, misplaced rage, irritability, episodic rage, etc. Moreover, men are more unlikely to accept their symptoms and acquire help for their mental health issues. On the other hand, women who suffer from mental health issues often feel sad and depressed and isolate themselves from their loved ones.
7. You Resort to Substance Abuse
People usually resort to alcohol addiction or abuse illegal substances to cope with their mental illnesses. If you know someone who abuses illegal substances and alcohol, they are mentally unwell and require immediate medical help. Moreover, you can also contact your local rehabilitation center to get the help that these individuals need.
8. You’ll Breathe Heavily
While mental illnesses like anxiety or depression are often known as purely mental disorders, your body will show some signs that will confirm you are indeed in need of psychiatric help. When you suffer from anxiety, you’ll experience heavy breathing now and then when an anxiety attack is just on the horizon. You might also feel a heavy chest due to heavy breathing. Your pupils will dilate, and a feeling of fear will settle in. if you are experiencing heavy breathing regularly, you might be suffering from anxiety, depression, or other types of mental illnesses.
Often, mental illnesses start small and worsen with time if you don’t acquire the necessary treatment. Abrupt changes in lifestyle, drug abuse, constant tiredness, and feelings of helplessness, or unworthiness are a few symptoms or signals that show a person isn’t mentally well. If you think that you or a loved one is going through these problems, you must seek professional help as soon as possible.
If you are in crisis or need someone to talk to, contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline at 800-950-6264 Monday thru Friday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Eastern Time. In a crisis, text “NAMI” to 741741 for 24/7, confidential, free crisis counseling. Visit their website and click on your state at the bottom of the page to find your local alliance. For those living in Virginia, you can find local information on the contact page here.
