Fences
Knowing The Signs
It's important to know common mental illness symptoms, so you can identify an illness and get help before it gets worse. Knowing the signs of mental illness can also help you recognize if someone else is suffering.
Mental illness affects people of all ages and backgrounds addressing the symptoms that can signify a problem can lead to successful treatment. When mental illness remains untreated, the symptoms can worsen and negatively impact a person's well-being. If you have any of these symptoms don't be afraid to reach out and ask for help.
Some general signs of mental health problems include: Feeling sad or down, confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate, withdrawal from friends and activities, significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping.
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Anxiety
Common Symptoms
Feeling restless, wound-up, or on-edge
Having difficulty concentrating
Struggle controlling feelings of worry
Sleep problems, difficulty falling or staying asleep
Fast heart rate
Rapid, shallow breathing
Sweating
Becoming easily tired
Avoiding school and everyday activities
Perfectionism
Depression
Common Symptoms
Sadness
Irritability
Feeling negative and worthless
Anger
Poor performance or poor attendance at school
Feeling misunderstood and extremely sensitive
Extreme usage of recreational drugs or alcohol
Eating or sleeping too much or too little
Self-harm
Loss of interest in normal activities
Avoidance of social interaction
Body Dismorphia
Common Symptoms
Looking in mirrors a lot or avoiding mirrors altogether.
Believing that others take more notice of your appearance in a negative way or mock you.
Engaging in behaviours aimed at fixing or hiding the perceived flaw
Attempting to hide the flaws you see with clothing, makeup or clothes
Constantly comparing your appearance with others
Frequently seeking reassurance about your appearance from others
Avoiding social situations
Spending a lot of time comparing your looks with other people's.
OCD - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Common Symptoms
Fearing that themselves or a loved one are sick and/or are going to die
Believing they have broken a rule and deserve to be punished
Fearing touching objects in case they are ‘dirty’
Thinking something bad will happen if objects aren’t placed perfectly neatly
Thinking something bad will happen if routines aren’t done in the ‘proper’ order
Having to wash or clean in a certain order everytime
Thinking or saying phrases over and over until it ‘feels right’
Re-checking things such as homework or locked doors numerous times
Having to place objects in an even, symmetrical order