How to Recognize the Symptoms of Mental Illness
Everyone experiences periods of sadness, loneliness, and grief. But how do you know when it’s normal behavior and when it’s a sign of something more serious? Mental illness can be difficult to discuss — even with a healthcare provider — but leaving it unchecked can have negative consequences not just on one’s own well-being, but family members, friends, and co-workers too. This Mental Illness Awareness Week, learn some surprising facts about mental illness in the United States and how to differentiate between ordinary behavior and symptoms requiring medical intervention.
Mental Health Statistics
You may be surprised to learn mental illness is a far more common than you may expect. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), about 1 in 5 American adults experience some form of mental illness each year; of those, only 47.2% receive adequate treatment. Additionally, about 1 in 20 American adults experiences serious mental illness, which is defined by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) as “a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder resulting in serious functional impairment, which substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities”; of those, about 65.4% receive treatment.
Mental illness does not discriminate by age. About 1 in 6 young people (ages 6-17) in America experiences a mental health disorder each year. NAMI reports 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins around age 14, and about 75% by age 24. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among people ages 10-14.
Struggling with mental illness is not something to be stigmatized. Many people experience it, from your friends and family to your neighbors. If you’re dealing with mental health issues, remember: You are not alone.
What Mental Illness Looks Like
Mental illness can come in many different forms , each affecting people in different ways. Some of the most common mental health conditions include:
- Anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Depression
- Dissociative disorders like dissociative amnesia, depersonalization disorder, and dissociative identity disorder
- Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Psychosis
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Schizophrenia
Because mental illnesses vary from one condition to another, symptoms can also manifest in different ways, though some conditions may overlap. According to Cathy Rigg, LCSW — who provides therapy and counseling services at the Elmer Hugh Taylor Clinic and at Rushville Family Practice — some common symptoms of mental illness can include:
- Chronic inability to cope with problems or daily activities
- Excessive anger, hostility, or violent behavior
- Excessive anxiety
- Extreme mood swings
- Feelings of disconnection or withdrawal from normal activities
- Hearing or seeing things other people do not hear or see
- Noticeable changes in personality and eating or sleeping patterns
- Prolonged sadness, depression, or apathy
- Substance abuse
- Thoughts or statements about suicide or harming others
- Unusual or “magical” thinking, which refers to the belief that compulsive thoughts, actions, or rituals can affect the world around them
So, the question remains: How can you tell the difference between symptoms of mental illness and ordinary behaviors? While discerning the two can be challenging, Rigg said recognizing some key factors can help.
“Two determining factors are severity (frequency and intensity) and how much they impact your life (a little or a lot),” Rigg said. “Often, friends or family members may recognize the symptoms before the individual will. Because assessing these factors for ourselves is difficult, it’s important to see a mental health professional so they can determine if that person meets the criteria for a mental health condition and arrange treatment if needed.”