A mental disorder or illness is diagnosable. A mental disorder affects a person's thinking, emotional state, and behavior that disrupts a person's ability to
- Work or attend school
- Carry out daily activities
- Engage in satisfying relationships
Potential warning signs of mental disorders include:
- Withdrawing from friends, family, and social activity
- Becoming secretive (need for privacy to be hiding something)
- Losing interest in favorite activities and not replacing them with other activities
DEPRESSION
Signs and Symptoms of depression include physical, psychological, and behavioral changes.
Signs and Symptoms of depression include physical, psychological, and behavioral changes.
- Physical changes include fatigue, lack of energy, sleeping too much or too little, overeating or loss of appetite, constipation, weight loss or gain, headaches, irregular menstrual cycles, loss of sexual desire, unexplained aches and pains.
- Psychological changes include sadness, anxiety, guilt, anger, mood swings, lack of emotional responsiveness, feeling of helplessness, frequent self-criticism, impaired memory and concentration, thoughts of death and suicide.
- Behavioral changes include crying spells, withdrawal from others, neglect of responsibilities, loss of interest in personal appearance, loss of motivation, slow movement, use of drugs and/or alcohol.
ANXIETY
An anxiety disorder differs from normal stress and anxiety. An anxiety disorder is more severe, lasts longer and interferes with work and relationships. The impact on one's life is determined by the severity of the person's case.
An anxiety disorder differs from normal stress and anxiety. An anxiety disorder is more severe, lasts longer and interferes with work and relationships. The impact on one's life is determined by the severity of the person's case.
SELF INJURY AND SUICIDE
Reasons for self injury:
Special thank you to Phil Hefner-Gardiepy, Northpointe Behavioral Healthcare System Health Professional, for the information on mental health.
Reasons for self injury:
- To escape from reality
- The change the behavior of others toward one's self
- To show desperation to others
- To "get back" at other people
- To gain relief from tension
- To seek help
- Threatening to hurt or kill one's self
- Seeking access to means
- Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide
- Feeling hopeless
- Feeling worthless or a lack of purpose
- Acting recklessly or engaging in risky activities
- Feeling trapped
- Increasing alcohol or drug use
- Withdrawing from family, friends, or society
- Demonstrating rage and anger or seeking revenge
- Appearing agitated
- Having a dramatic change in mood
Special thank you to Phil Hefner-Gardiepy, Northpointe Behavioral Healthcare System Health Professional, for the information on mental health.