Identifying mental health problems in the family as sooner as it occurs is very important to lead a happy life. If you are wise enough to take action at the first warning signs of mental health problems, we are here to assist in recognizing them through this wonderful article. Though there is a social stigma around it, you need to get it treated. If you think that you might never be the one, 44 million individuals are diagnosed with mental health problems in America every year. So let’s get started with it.
Are you crazy?
You need to understand what mental illness is. Only then would you be able to recognize the warning signs of it. No, mental illness is not being crazy. They are the illness that has an impact on our thoughts, emotions, and behavior. The various causes of it include genetics, environment, stress, changes in the body, and brain. Though there are more than 200 types of mental illness, common illnesses include anxiety disorders, dementia, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
Symptoms of illness
Isn't the stress the only symptom of the mental illness? Though stress is the most known symptom of the mental illness, the other symptoms are changes in thinking, being not able to think, fluctuations in mood, keeping oneself isolated from others, changes in the personal lifestyle among various others.
But it is important to ensure that these symptoms are due to substance use or any other medical sickness. There must be some mental illness symptoms checklist to find out that if one is suffering from such illness. These symptoms are different according to the different age groups and as you would like to help all your family members, we are providing you with how the symptoms might show up in the various ways in different age groups.
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Infants
Though it is very difficult to understand that what they are feeling since they cannot express it through words, a keen look at their actions can give your hints. They are not accepting anything to consume. When you notice carefully, you will notice that they either react a lot or don't react at all to something or someone.
The children's mental disorders list also includes the non-attachment of the children as other babies are attached to their parents usually. They might also express their stress. They cry a lot than what seems normal and don't stop anyhow. They do not make noises such as babbling or cooing sounds. Their learning and use of some words are slow or not present at all. They don't make eye contact with you and do not want to be held. They just don't want to interact at all. They also have difficulty in sleeping.
School going children
Your school-going younger children are more likely to be more active than normal, having low grades despite putting in a lot of effort, being so anxious about the school results that they refuse going to the school, and doing temper tantrums.
They also complain of having nightmares constantly and are aggressive and disobedient for a long period of time. Suddenly, they begin clingy to you. There are also chances that they wet their bed which is not their usual problem. They feel very fearful of gaining weight. Identifying mental health problems in the family where you have children who go to school is rather important. They may easily get the anxiety problems and here comes the role of the family in mental health.
They might also tell you about the thoughts of hurting oneself or others. There are times when they are unable to tolerate the irritation that they are feeling. You can see that there are major changes in their personality or mood than before. They complain to you about having stomachaches and headaches quite often. They also talk about those thoughts they are having regarding suicide or death. They also feel very boredom for a longer duration than usual. Their behavior is very reckless and risk-taking. They start being less careful about their safety.
Adults and teenagers
In this case, an adult and your teenage sons and daughters, mental health disorders may also lead to substance use, confused thinking, keeping oneself isolated from others, major changes in eating habits, and sleep schedules. It can also be the feeling of extreme emotions such as anger, fear, anxiety, sadness, having strange thoughts which don't have any relevance, in reality, hearing, and seeing things which do not exist in reality, and inability to deal with the problems of the routine life and thoughts related to suicide.
There can also be some physical problems that do not have any physical cause or explanation. They might go against the authority, commit theft, or break something and being absent in school. They might also have thoughts of death. Don't you think that a lot of negative attitude points at something? They also start denying the problems which are very much real and obvious. They are unable to cope with the hassles of everyday life.
Elderly
Your in-laws or your grandparents might experience permanent pain, issues with memory, and physical diseases for a long time such as cancer, sadness due to the loss of a dear one for a long period of time and not being able to move around. They might also tend to overdose on their medications and do not eat properly.
Have you seen them not being dressed very well? That is also a symptom. They are having a hard time maintaining their home. You will notice that they are not able to concentrate very well. They will seem confused and disoriented to you. You will also see that they are having a difficult time doing any work that involves numbers. Even if they have not done any laborious work or are not ill, they will feel tired.
You might see them not going to the park to meet their friends. They are no longer enjoying the things that they used to. They are being alone most of the time. They often try to convey that they are feeling depressed, worthless, and helpless or have thoughts related to suicide. They either eat more or less than usual causing changes in weight. They are unable to sleep properly. Hence, these are ways to identify mental health problems in family members. We have provided you with the required information but it will be only helpful by your awareness and keen observation.