To learn more about symptoms that are specific to a particular mental illness, refer to the Mental Health America brochure on that illness. The following are signs that your loved one may want to speak to a medical or mental health professional.
In adults:
· Confused thinking
· Prolonged depression (sadness or irritability)
· Feelings of extreme highs and lows
· Excessive fears, worries and anxieties
· Social withdrawal
· Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits
· Strong feelings of anger
· Delusions or hallucinations
· Growing inability to cope with daily problems and activities
· Suicidal thoughts
· Denial of obvious problems
· Numerous unexplained physical ailments
· Substance abuse
In older children and pre-adolescents:
· Substance abuse
· Inability to cope with problems and daily activities
· Changes in sleeping and/or eating habits
· Excessive complaints of physical ailments
· Defiance of authority, truancy, theft, and/or vandalism
· Intense fear of weight gain
· Prolonged negative mood, often accompanied by poor appetite or thoughts of death
· Frequent outbursts of anger
In younger children:
· Changes in school performance
· Poor grades despite strong efforts
· Excessive worry or anxiety (i.e. refusing to go to bed or school)
· Hyperactivity
· Persistent nightmares
· Persistent disobedience or aggression
· Frequent temper tantrums
Mental health disordersOverview
Mental health disorder describes a wide range of disorders such as depression, anxiety,stress,schizophrenia andbipolar disorder.Each disorder varies in its severity.
The effect of mental illness can be severe on the individuals and families concerned, and its influence is far-reaching for society as a whole.
If you are concerned about your mental health or that of a family member, the first stop should be your doctor where you can find out which therapies and treatments are available.
Don't feel worried about going to your doctor as they are able to help with both your mental and physical health. They will also direct you to the most appropriate treatment.
Mental health-related services are provided in Australia in a variety of ways including:
· hospitalisation and other residential care
· hospital-based outpatient services and community mental health care services
· consultations with doctors and specialists.
More serious mental health problems, such as manic depression and schizophrenia, require specialist care. Your doctor will refer you to a specialist called a 'psychiatrist' who will be able to care for these serious health problems.
If you and your doctor agree that you would benefit from medication, there are various options that can help with conditions such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, mania and other mental health problems.
Sources: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (Mental Health Services in Australia), NHS Choices, UK (Five steps to mental wellbeing, Find mental health support)