Early warning signs of mental illness

1. Early Warning Signsof Mental Illness
Major mental illnessessuchasschizophreniaorbipolardisorderrarelyappear“outof the blue.”
Most oftenfamily,friends,teachersorindividualsthemselvesbegintorecognize small changesora
feelingthat“somethingisnotquite right”abouttheirthinking,feelingsorbehaviorbefore one of
these illnessesappearsinitsfull-blownform.
One half of all mental illnessbeginsbyage 14 and 75% beginsbyage 24.
Learningaboutdevelopingsymptoms,orearlywarningsigns,andtakingactioncanhelp.Early
interventioncanhelpreduce the severityof anillness.Itmayevenbe possibletodelayorpreventa
majormental illnessaltogether.
Signs and symptoms
 Withdrawal — Recentsocial withdrawal andlossof interestinothers
 Drop infunctioning — Anunusual dropinfunctioning,atschool,workorsocial activities,
such as quittingsports,failinginschool ordifficultyperformingfamiliartasks
 Problemsthinking — Problemswithconcentration,memoryorlogical thoughtandspeech
that are hard to explain
 Increasedsensitivity — Heightenedsensitivitytosights,sounds,smellsortouch;avoidance
of over-stimulatingsituations
 Apathy — Loss of initiative ordesire toparticipate inanyactivity
 Feelingdisconnected — A vague feelingof beingdisconnected fromoneself orone’s
surroundings;asense of unreality
 Illogical thinking— Unusual orexaggeratedbeliefsaboutpersonal powerstounderstand
meaningsorinfluenceevents;illogical or“magical”thinkingtypical of childhoodinanadult
 Nervousness — Fearor suspiciousnessof othersora strongnervousfeeling
 Unusual behavior– Odd,uncharacteristic,peculiarbehavior
 Sleeporappetite changes — Dramaticsleepandappetite changesordeclineinpersonal
care
 Mood changes — Rapidor dramaticshiftsinfeelings
One or two of these symptomsalone can’tpredictamental illness.Butif apersonisexperiencing
several atone time and the symptomsare causingseriousproblemsinthe abilitytostudy,workor
relate toothers,he/she shouldbe seenbyamental healthprofessional.People withsuicidal
thoughtsor intent,orthoughtsof harmingothers,needimmediate attention.

2. Taking action, getting help
More than a decade of researcharoundthe worldhasshownthat earlyinterventioncanoften
minimize ordelaysymptoms,preventhospitalizationandimprove prognosis.Evenif apersondoes
not yetshowclearsignsof a diagnosable mental illness,these “redflag”earlywarningsymptoms
can be frighteninganddisruptive.
Encourage the personto:
Have an evaluationbya mental healthorotherhealthcare professional.
Learn aboutmental illness,includingsignsandsymptoms.
Receive supportive counselingaboutdailylifeandstrategiesforstressmanagement.
Be monitoredcloselyforconditionsrequiringmore intensivecare.
Each individual’ssituationmustbe assessedcarefullyandtreatmentshouldbe individualized.
Comprehensivetreatmenttopreventearlysymptomsfromprogressingintoseriousillnesscan
include ongoingindividualandfamilycounseling, vocational andeducational support,participation
ina multi-familyproblem-solvinggroup,andmedicationwhenappropriate.
Familymembersare valuedpartnersandshouldbe involvedwheneverpossible.Learningabout
mental illnessandwhatishappeningin the braincan helpindividualsandfamiliesunderstandthe
significance of symptoms,howanillnessmightdevelopandwhatcan be done to help.
Justas withothermedical illnesses,earlyinterventioncanmake acrucial difference inpreventing
whatcould become aseriousillness.

3. Symptoms
By Mayo ClinicStaff
Signsand symptomsof mental illnesscanvary,dependingonthe disorder,circumstancesandother
factors.Mental illness symptomscanaffectemotions,thoughtsandbehaviors.
Examplesof signsandsymptomsinclude:
 Feelingsadordown
 Confusedthinkingorreducedabilitytoconcentrate
 Excessive fearsorworries,orextreme feelingsof guilt
 Extreme moodchangesof highs andlows
 Withdrawal fromfriendsandactivities
 Significanttiredness,lowenergyorproblemssleeping
 Detachmentfromreality(delusions),paranoiaorhallucinations
 Inabilitytocope withdailyproblemsorstress
 Trouble understandingandrelatingtosituationsandtopeople
 Alcohol ordrug abuse
 Major changesin eatinghabits
 Sex drive changes
 Excessive anger,hostilityorviolence
 Suicidal thinking
Sometimessymptomsof amental healthdisorderappearasphysical problems,suchasstomach
pain,back pain,headache,orotherunexplainedachesandpains.
Whento see a doctor
If you have any signsor symptomsof a mental illness,seeyourprimarycare providerormental
healthspecialist.Mostmental illnessesdon'timproveontheirown,andif untreated,a mental
illnessmaygetworse overtime andcause seriousproblems.
If you have suicidal thoughts
Suicidal thoughtsandbehaviorare commonwithsome mental illnesses.If youthinkyoumayhurt
yourself orattemptsuicide,gethelprightaway:
 Call 911 or yourlocal emergencynumberimmediately.
 Call yourmental healthspecialist.
 Call a suicide hotlinenumber — inthe U.S.,call the National Suicide PreventionLifeline at1-
800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
 Seekhelpfromyourprimarycare doctoror otherhealthcare provider.

4.  Reach outto a close friendorlovedone.
 Contact a minister,spiritual leaderorsomeone else inyourfaithcommunity.
Suicidal thinkingdoesn'tgetbetteronitsown — so gethelp.
Helpinga lovedone
If your lovedone showssignsof mental illness,have anopenandhonestdiscussionwithhimorher
aboutyour concerns.You maynot be able to force someone togetprofessionalcare,butyoucan
offerencouragementandsupport.Youcan alsohelpyourlovedone findaqualifiedmental health
providerandmake an appointment.Youmayevenbe able togo alongto the appointment.
If your lovedone hasdone self-harmorisconsideringdoingso,take the persontothe hospital or
call for emergencyhelp