Our society has become more open towards mental illness and the challenges that so many of us face – yet there are still many instances in which either our loved ones or ourselves may be battling with a condition we didn’t even know we had. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) reminds us that in many cases, these conditions can feel “out of the blue” – when in reality, symptoms have been building up over time, just subtly. The sooner you can detetct signs of a mental illness, the greater of a chance that you’ll be able to take proactive and preventative measures to ensure your mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) explains that while each conditions may have a distinct set of symptoms, these are some of the most “general” signs that we can look out for:
- Experiencing confusion or difficulty concentrating and learning
- Feeling excessively low or sad
- Changes in eating, sleeping or behavioral patterns
- Abusing substances like alcohol or drugs
- Having trouble perceiving one’s own feelings, behavior or personality
- Avoiding friends or social activities, especially if one used to enjoy them before
- Prolonged feelings of irritability or anger
- And more
Many people feel that their distress is likely “normal” – but the reality is that it likely isn’t if your instincts are telling you otherwise. In unfortunate cases, mental illness can become more severe over time – and can lead to the development of a substance use disorder (SUD) or even additional symptoms which cause other mental illnesses to arise. With that being said, the safest and most effective option is to seek help as soon as symptoms are recognized. Mental Health America (MHA) notes that even significant stress can become something more if not taken care of early on.
If you’re ready to begin taking great strides towards your health and wellbeing, speak with a professional from Alta Loma today. Mental illness should be taken seriously and, if not treated early on, more severe conditions can arise. The best way to promote happiness and health is to seek help – and to begin using effective interventions for treating the problematic symptoms a person is experiencing. Don’t wait any longer to seek the help you need. Please call Alta Loma today – and you’ll be surrounded by a healthcare team who truly cares about your recovery. 866-457-3843.
