The term mental illness (or mental health disorders, if you prefer) is used to describe a variety of health conditions that affect your mood, thinking, and, ultimately, your behavior. Within this wide group are diseases such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, addiction, and schizophrenia. For many years, people who struggled with any of these problems have been ostracized by society. Fortunately, the paradigm is starting to change – and mental illness awareness programs were fundamental for this change of heart.
Anxiety and depression, the two most common mental illnesses, affect a ridiculous amount of people all over the world. In recent years, experts have noticed that more and more young people are being diagnosed with one of these conditions. It is an extremely worrying trend that must be addressed properly. The first step is to be aware of the early signs of these diseases and take all the necessary measures to deal with them seriously.
Here are eight signs of mental illness that you should never, ever ignore.
1. Intense and constant sadness for an extended period
It’s okay to feel sad and to express that sadness. There are life events that affect us deeply, and we should not be ashamed to show how we feel. However, we need to get over it. Or at least we should be able not to let that sadness condition our lives forever. As soon as you feel that you have no control over these kinds of feelings, it’s time to consider asking for help. It is important to note that some people fail to identify the root cause of this deep sadness, which can be extremely confusing. A mental health specialist can help identify that cause – an essential first step in overcoming it.
2. Sleep issues
Sleep disturbances are a mental illness symptom that is often overlooked. Sleep quality has such a major impact on mental health that people who suffer from mental disorders are three times more likely to also suffer from insomnia (sleeping too little) or hypersomnia (sleeping too much). As mental health deteriorates, so do sleeping problems. This snowball effect can have devastating consequences.
