“If you take care of your mind, you take care of the world” – Ariana Huffington
Mental health is the foundation for emotions, resilience, thinking, learning, communication, and self-esteem. But unfortunately, conversations around mental health leading to mental illness in the past have been mired in shame, silence, and stigma. Any mental issue can cause endless pain and will stop you to be content.
The mania of complicating everything can drive anyone crazy. Incessant mental pain triggers many issues including anger and aggressive attitude.
“Whether an illness affects your heart, your leg, your brain, it’s still illness, and there should be no distinction.” – Michell Obama.
The stigma around mental illness should not exist. There are people who perceive having a mental illness as negative and say it’s “all in the person’s head.” This biased ideology causes people to be ashamed of having mental health issues and makes them not want to ask for help.
Signs & Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of Mental illness often is not a single change but a combination of behavioral changes. Here are some commons trends found among the people fighting with mental disorders or illness.
- Anxious or Worried: Although we get worried or anxious from time to time, but if this worry is constant and peeps every now and then, this could be the sign of mental illness.
- Depressed or Unhappy: Being sad and irritable for the last few weeks or so losing interest a hobby and lacking motivation can lead to mental health issues.
- Emotional Outbursts: Mood swings are normal but, sudden and dramatic changes in mood, such as extreme distress or anger, can be a symptom of mental illness.
- Sleep Disorder: At times, insomnia could be a sign of anxiety or substance abuse. Sleeping too much or too little could indicate depression or a sleeping disorder.
- Changes in Appetite or Weight: Fluctuating weight or rapid weight loss could be one of the warning signs of a mental health disorder, such as depression.
- Quiet or Withdrawn: If there is a major change in someone’s behavior involving regularly isolating themselves, they may have depression, bipolar disorder, a psychotic disorder, or another mental health disorder. Refusing to join in social activities may be a sign they need help.
- Substance Abuse: Using substances to cope, such as alcohol or drugs, can be a sign of mental health conditions. Using substances can also contribute to mental illness.
- Feeling Guilty or Worthless: Thoughts like ‘I’m a failure’, ‘It’s my fault’ or ‘I’m worthless’ are all possible signs of a mental health disorder, such as depression.
One or two of these symptoms alone can’t predict a mental illness but may indicate a need for further evaluation.
Mental illness does not discriminate; it can affect anyone regardless of age, income, gender, social status, geography, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion/spirituality, background, or other aspects of cultural identity. While mental illness can occur at any age, three-fourths of all mental illness begins by age 24.
Knowledge, education, and the right information can play a big role in releasing us from the shackles of stigma and generate sensitivity and understanding in our societies.
