Mental illness, also called mental health disorder, refers to a wide range of psychological health conditions, disorders that affect mood, thinking, and behavior. Many people have mental health problems from time to time. But a worry becomes an illness when ongoing signs and symptoms cause frequent stress and affect your ability to function.
A mental illness can make you miserable and can cause problems in your daily life. In most cases, symptoms can be controlled with a combination of medication and therapy. Here are some tips from leading mental health experts on the warning signs of your mental health that you shouldn’t ignore.
Ms. Saachi Arora,
MSc, MPhil, PhD, RCI Licensed Clinical Psychologist,
Founder -Therapy by Saachi – A safe space for you, Mumbai
The signs of mental health are not as easily visible as the signs of physical health. Therefore, mental health care is often neglected. However, there have been open conversations about mental health and wellness. Early identification of signs and symptoms in mental health leads to proper management and intervention of these signs.
These signs can pave the way for you to seek mental health care as soon as possible: extreme mood swings, excessive worry or anxiety over trivial matters, avoidance of problems, drastic changes in sleep and appetite, difficulty coping with stress or involvement in unhealthy coping mechanisms such as substance abuse or risk behaviors.
It’s okay not to feel good. It’s okay to experience changes in your mind and body. However, it can affect your functioning, social life, and other domains. So, let go of the stigma, identify the signs of mental health, cope effectively, and seek professional help if necessary.
Take care of your mental health because you matter!
Dr LC Sunda,
MBBS (AIIMS), DNB (psychiatry),
Senior Consultant Psychiatrist – ShakuKarma Mind-care Clinic, Paschim Vihar & Sir Ganga Ram City Hospital, New Delhi
Like the stigma associated with mental disorders in society, we delay medical and psychological interventions by NOT “acknowledging” the early signs of such disorders.
Longer phase of sadness, extreme mood swings, overwhelming anxiety, being socially withdrawn and withdrawn, ideas of self-harm, delusions and hallucinations, difficulty sleeping, use of addictive substances are some of the first signs of impending illness and NOT they should be ignored. .
Awareness programs and psychoeducation are really important for the public and caregivers to gain insight into these disorders.
Early intervention remains the best policy in the management of psychiatric disorders as well as other illnesses
Dr Mithila Desai,
MA, PhD, Clinical Psychologist and Therapist, Mumbai
Perfectionism can be confusing; it affects different people in different ways. Studies have shown that perfectionism is correlated with mental health problems and is predictive of high anxiety, OCD, depression, suicidal ideation, eating disorders.
Perfectionist thinking is based on the belief that we are inadequate: “I am not enough, and the only way to be enough is to achieve. Anxious perfectionists are hard on themselves and this often takes the form of self-criticism and dwelling on imperfections, constantly worrying about what people think of them.
They procrastinate or don’t start things, because they don’t think they can do it perfectly, feeling flawed or flawed.
Stress can manifest in our bodies as aches and pains, insomnia and difficulty sleeping, gastrointestinal problems, muscle tension, and low energy. Stress also affects our mood, contributing to anxiety, depression, and short tempers, which could be some of the first signs of mental illness.
Dr Vikas Bhatheja,
PhD (Cognitive Psychology), Senior Consultant – Indus International Hospital, Chandigarh
Some symptoms of a mental health disorder appear as physical problems, such as stomach pain, back pain, headaches, or other unexplained aches and pains.
There are some early signs of mental illness that need to be taken care of. For example: feeling sad, confused thoughts or reduced ability to concentrate, excessive fear or worry, extreme feelings of guilt, extreme up-and-down mood swings, withdrawal from friends and activities, significant tiredness, low energy or trouble sleeping, detachment from reality. , suspiciousness, inability to cope with everyday problems or stress, difficulty understanding and relating to situations and people, excessive anger, hostility or violence. The most important thing is family support and a positive approach to handling these situations.
Dr Pooja Anand Sharma,
MA, PhD, President – Vishwas Healing Center,
Expertise in Psychotherapy, Dream Analysis and Energy Healing Training, New Delhi
Understanding the early signs of mental disorders is the key to getting the right help at the right time.
There are some signs that we should not ignore, such as: distancing from loved ones, increased aggressive or violent behavior, agitation, a prolonged period of sadness, increased suspicion of others, getting angry easily, feeling threatened by people, disconnected from reality. , sleep disorders, changes in appetite, loss of interest in our favorite activities and impaired concentration.
Remember that these are cumulative symptoms. If the symptoms persist for more than three weeks, you should seek professional help immediately.
Mental illnesses do not go away on their own. We must seek the necessary help at the right time. If not, they can get worse over time.
If your loved ones are facing such problems, have an open conversation with them about your concerns. Support and encouragement go a long way towards healing and treatment.
Dr Kiran Makhijani,
Psychotherapist & Psychologist – Dr YA Matcheswalla Super Specialty Polyclinic, Mumbai
One or two of these symptoms alone cannot predict mental illness, but they may indicate the need for further evaluation. Some of the indicators that one should not ignore include: changes in sleep or appetite, mood swings, social withdrawal, loss of interest, difficulty with daily functioning, poor concentration, memory, and increased sensitivity.
If a person is experiencing several at the same time and the symptoms are causing serious problems in the ability to study, work or interact with others, they should consult a professional. People with thoughts of suicide or harming others need immediate attention. Early identification, proper assessment, effective care planning, and appropriate treatment play a crucial role in improving mental health.
Dr Saumya Sharan,
MPhil (Gold Medalist in Clinical Psychology),
Senior Lead Clinical Psychologist – MindOn, Gurugaon
Mental Health is also health. It’s hard to answer questions related to mental health: how much is too much, when does it become unmanageable, or how long should we wait before seeking support? But it pays to be aware of some signs and warning signs that may present themselves as early symptoms or patterns that warrant timely professional help. There are terms that are used loosely for signs that may not qualify as a psychological disorder, for example, internet sadness for depression, nervousness for anxiety, restlessness for ADHD, etc.
Instead, look for emotional patterns such as frequent crying spells, increased nervousness that feels uncontrollable, changes in sleep routine or appetite, or energy levels. Please note if these signs continue for more than a certain period or cause significant distress in your professional, personal and social spheres and interfere with daily activities.
Ms Devaleena Ghosh,
Clinical Psychologist, MRes (UK), Director – Kornash The Lifestyle Management School, Kolkata
Your feelings of sadness that last more than two weeks may be a sign of mental illness. Everyone experiences sadness at one time or another. However, normal feelings of sadness improve over time. Unusually intense sadness that lasts for two weeks or more could be a sign of depression. If you notice in yourself or a loved one, a feeling that is heavier than normal and difficult to overcome may require immediate attention.
