It is common to dismiss feeling overly anxious and sudden appetite changes as being symptoms of a bad mood. But if these symptoms persist, they could be early warning signs of mental illness.
There is a lot of information out there about different mental illnesses, but not enough about signs and symptoms that you should look out for.
Here are five warning signs of mental illness that you should look out for.
[Disclaimer: All the information provided in this article is for educational purposes only. We highly recommend you seek professional help if you think you may be suffering from a mental illness.]
1. Excessive Paranoia
If you often suffer from different phobias, such as social anxiety or stage fright, it could be an early sign of a mental illness. Excessive fear, extreme mood swings, and constant anxiety could be signs of depression, anxiety disorder, or bipolar disorder.
These signs can persist with no particular triggers and can often manifest as physical symptoms like fatigue, shaking, and trembling.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy(CBT) is a helpful way to manage anxiety and excessive fear.
2. Dissociation
While it is normal to zone out in between conversations, being in a constant dissociative state can be a sign of an underlying issue.
An early sign of an underlying mental illness could be one’s difficulty perceiving reality. Visual and auditory hallucinations, delusions, and maladaptive daydreaming are some of the common symptoms.
These signs could turn into psychotic episodes of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. It is essential to seek professional help in cases like these.
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3. Unusual sleeping and eating habits
A good sleep cycle is vital to your overall health. Sleep is the regenerative period of your body and it enables an individual to process daily activities.
Insufficient sleep can lead to mental distress, depression symptoms, and physical pain.
While much more research is still to be done about the neurological relationship between sleep and mental health, anxiety and depression can cause insomnia.
An underlying mental illness can cause sudden appetite changes, resulting in overeating or eating less.
4. Lack of energy
Often, symptoms like excessive stress and a poor sleep cycle can be a result of a lack of energy and motivation. This can lead to a drop in one’s overall performance.
It can be anything from not being able to meet deadlines to neglecting personal hygiene. This can be an early sign of a mental illness.
Procrastination, having difficulty waking up in the morning, and having no motivation to do daily activities are all signs that you should look out for.
5. Unhealthy habits
When one goes through a hard time in their lives, they tend to cope with the help of various harmful coping mechanisms.
Impulsive behaviour, alcoholism, self-harm, and substance abuse are some of the biggest examples of dangerous coping mechanisms that can be fatal.
Choosing healthier alternatives like meditation, journaling, and exercise is always a great way to deal with struggles.
However, it is imperative to remember that everyone is not the same and symptoms can vary for different individuals.
