RECOGNISING THE SIGNS AND SYMBOLS OF MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS

Recognizing the mental health illness is paramount for fostering a supportive and understanding society. Early identification of symptoms allows for timely intervention and treatment, potentially preventing conditions from escalating. Moreover, by acknowledging these signs and symbols we, we actively combat the stigma surrounding mental illness, creating an environment where individuals feel comfortable seeking help without fear of judgement or discrimination. 

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES?

FEELING ANXIOUS AND WORRIED: Persistent feeling of fear or unease, often about the future or specific situation. Most people get worried or stressed from time to time. Feeling nervous or scared about things, even when they might not be that big of a deal. It might cause you to sweat, feel restless and tense, and have a rapid heartbeat. It can be a normal reaction to stress. For example, you might feel anxious when faced with a difficult problem at work, before taking a test, or before making an important decision.

EMOTIONAL OUTBURSTS: Sudden intense display of emotions, such as anger, sadness, or frustration, that may seem disproportionate to the situation. here the individual get upset or angry very quickly an intensely. Emotional outbursts, also known as emotional lability, refer to rapid changes in emotional expression where strong or exaggerated feelings and emotions occur. This neurological condition often affects people who already have a pre-existing condition or have suffered brain injuries in the past. Some people with mental health conditions, like borderline personality disorder (BPD), also experience labile emotions, but for different reasons than neurological conditions.

SLEEP PROBLEMS: Most people know firsthand that sleep affects their mental state. After all, there’s a reason it’s said that someone in a bad mood “woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” As it turns out, there’s quite a bit of truth behind this colloquial saying. Sleep is closely connected to mental and emotional health and has demonstrated links to depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other conditions. Research is ongoing to better understand the bidirectional relationship between mental health and sleep. Both are complex issues affected by a multitude of factors, but, given their close association, there is strong reason to believe that improving sleep can have a beneficial impact on mental health and can be a component of treating many psychiatric disorders.

WEIGHT OR APPETITE CHANGES: Stress is a normal reaction to everyday pressures. However, chronic stress can cause physiological changes in the body, which can lead to weight gain. For some people, gaining weight can further contribute to stress, resulting in a vicious circle. Stress causes hormonal changes that can increase blood sugar levels and blood insulin levels, causing people to crave foods high in calories, fat, and sugar. Stress can also disrupt levels of other hormones involved in hunger and satiety and can impair cognitive processes such as self-regulation. All these factors can result in weight gain. Recognizing the relationship between stress and overeating is the first step to tackling stress-related weight gain. Techniques a person can try include keeping a diary of stress and eating behaviors and practicing mindful eating. People can also try methods for managing cravings, such as staying well hydrated, eating more protein, and engaging in activities that distract from cravings.

BEING MORE QUITE OR WITHDRAWN THAN USUAL: Withdrawing from life, especially if this is a major change from one's personality, could indicate mental health disorder. If a friend or loved one is isolating themselves and refusing to join in social activities, they may need help. Social withdrawal and isolation may have a variety of causes and often leads to feelings of loneliness, sadness, and even depression, as socialization is key for healthy development. By understanding why you’re feeling this way, you may be better able to take steps to overcome it and improve your mental and emotional well-being and reduce your withdrawn behaviors.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE: There are a number of reasons many turn to specific substances such as alcohol or drugs. Young people often begin experimenting with these substances out of curiosity or because of peer pressure. However, stress is a factor for a significant number of individuals, and it is one that causes many to abuse alcohol or drugs. Stress is something that affects the physical and mental well-being of individuals. Those who are unable to deal with stress positively and effectively may turn to alcohol or drugs for temporary relief. Unfortunately, those who self-medicate with alcohol or drugs are risking a number of other problems including addiction, which will ultimately make their problems worse.

FEELING GUILTY OR WORTHLESS: Thoughts like 'Iam a failure', 'its my fault' or 'I'm worthless' are possible signs of mental health disorder. your friend or loved one may need help if they're often criticising or blaming themselves for things not in their control. Feeling worthless can be a symptom of depression. You can help improve your mood by being kind to yourself and keeping healthy. Speak to your doctor about treatment, support and referral to a mental health service. If you are feeling worthless, support from those around you can be very helpful. 

SUICIDAL THOUGHTS: With some mental health problems, a person may expose   desire to hurt or kill themselves. They may have harmed themselves or be thinking about ways to die. Some people have thoughts about harming others. Suicide, taking your own life, is a tragic reaction to stressful life situations — and all the more tragic because suicide can be prevented. Whether you're considering suicide or know someone who feels suicidal, learn suicide warning signs and how to reach out for immediate help and professional treatment. You may save a life — your own or someone else's. It may seem like there's no way to solve your problems and that suicide is the only way to end the pain. But you can take steps to stay safe — and start enjoying your life again.

FEELING EXCESSIVELY HIGH: Your friend or family member might seem manic. or overly happy or excited. They might make impulsive decisions or spend large amount of money that they can't afford.

NEGLECT AND PERFORMING LESS WELL: You may notice that a friend or relative seem less capable than they usually used to be. They might be doing poorly at school or work and not fulfilling their responsibilities. They might stop caring  about their appearance and personal hygiene.

HIGH RISK BEHAVIOUR: If a friend or a relative starts participating in a risky activities- such as unprotected sex, substance abuse, dangerous driving or crime- this could indicate a mental health problem.