Did you know that around 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental illness according to the National Institutes of Health? Think about that: Every time you’re in a grocery store, if there are 50 people in the store then 10 of the people around you are struggling with an unseen illness on a daily basis. Chances are that you or someone you know are among these 1 in 5.
Mental health is a key part of your overall health and wellness and it needs to be cared for on a regular basis. That starts with educating yourself so let’s explore the most common mental health conditions as well as signs and symptoms to look for and why these conditions arise.
Mental health is a combination of your emotional, psychological and social wellness. It’s important to understand that mental health is different from intelligence which is a person’s cognitive ability. It’s also different from neurological health which is the physical health of a person’s brain and nervous system.
Your mental health can impact every aspect of your life including your relationships, physical health, career, and of course, your drug and alcohol use. Like these other components, mental health is affected by your daily habits and it needs regular care to function at the highest possible level.
The standard diagnostic manual used by mental health professionals lists nearly 300 mental health disorders. Let’s examine the most common mental illnesses that might be affecting you or your loved ones.
Depression
Depression is a group of specific mental health conditions that all relate to a substantially lowered mood and energy level. When people think of depression, they’re usually picturing major depressive disorder. This is a condition that causes persistently low energy, sad mood and a lack of interest in normal aspects of life like hobbies, careers and relationships. A person with depression might spend an excessive time sleeping or stop engaging in their favorite activities.
Anxiety Disorders
Like depression, anxiety is a category of mental health conditions that includes panic disorder, phobias, and the one that most people think of — generalized anxiety disorder. These disorders can manifest in different ways but what they all share is an excessive amount of worry and fear. They can affect your day to day life by making it difficult to do everyday things like driving or going to public places.
Bipolar Disorder
There are multiple types of bipolar disorder, but the type that many people are familiar with is Bipolar 1. This condition causes you to have periods of depression and periods when you have high energy and high emotions called mania. You might also hear the condition called manic depression because it oscillates between mania and depression. Bipolar 2 is a less extreme condition that mostly causes mood swings and impulsive behaviors.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post traumatic stress disorder or PTSD is a condition that develops as a result of a traumatic event like a violent crime, war, a serious car accident and so on. It can make you more anxious, reactive and on-edge. You may also find that you overreact to things, especially if they remind you of your traumatic event, cause you to relive it in your mind or trigger flashbacks with very vivid memories.
There’s also a type of PTSD called complex post traumatic stress disorder or C-PTSD. This condition can occur if you’ve had prolonged and repeated exposure to trauma such as growing up in an abusive household.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia can be a devastating mental illness. It’s characterized by psychosis or a disconnection from reality. It might cause you to see, hear or believe things that aren’t real. It can cause paranoia and can generally cause you to have disordered thinking. For example, you might have trouble following logic and thinking through the solution to a problem.
Every mental health condition is unique so symptoms of depression and anxiety differ from symptoms of schizophrenia. As varied as this might be, these are some signs to look for that might indicate a mental illness in yourself or a loved one.
Mental health conditions mostly affect the way you feel and act. Watch for these potential hints that something is wrong:
Feeling sad to an excessive degree
Difficulty concentrating on tasks you need or want to do
Worrying too much or feeling extreme guilt
Sleeping too little or too much
Extreme mood swings
Withdrawing from friends and family or from activities you used to enjoy
Hallucinations, paranoia or other detachments from reality
Excessive anger, irritability or hostility
Persistent fatigue
Mental health is part of your overall health so some physical signs could point to a mental illness:
Unexplained ailments like frequent headaches and multiple ongoing aches and pains
Frequently tense or sore muscles that aren’t explainable otherwise
Significant weight loss or weight gain
Recurring stomach pains and indigestion
Some skin issues or worsening symptoms of skin conditions like psoriasis
Remember that mental illnesses can show up in different ways from one person to the next. The signs above should only be used as a guide to tell you it might be time to talk to a therapist who can guide you further.
Why do those one in five people end up with a mental illness while the other four don’t? Mental health is complex and researchers continue to explore this question but there are certain factors that we do know can impact a mental illness.
Genetics
Researchers haven’t identified specific genes that carry a likelihood for mental illness but they can see clear links that these conditions run in families. Mental illness often seems to be a combination of genetics and environmental factors. For example, heredity might make you more prone to anxiety or depression but events or circumstances in your life might determine if you develop these conditions.
Trauma
Some mental illnesses like PTSD are very clearly triggered by trauma. However, trauma can also play a role in whether you develop other conditions or how those conditions appear.
Substance Use
Ironically, mental illness can make someone more prone to develop a substance use disorder. You can also develop a mental illness as a result of substance use. Drugs and alcohol can cause changes in the brain that lead to psychosis, mood disorders, anxiety or impulse control disorders.
Brain Chemistry
Your brain is an incredibly complex communication network and issues with your brain chemistry can contribute to some mental health conditions. Neurotransmitters in your brain can specifically impact the way you feel and can be a significant component of mood disorders.
It’s important to understand that mental illnesses are complicated and many different factors can cause or contribute to them.
If you believe you or someone you love may have a mental illness then seeking out mental health treatment options like therapy or psychiatric medications early can make a powerful difference.
The longer that a mental illness is unmanaged, the more it can negatively impact your life and your health. Early intervention can improve your long term outcome, prevent you from developing complications or co-occurring conditions like substance use disorder and protect the wellness of you and your entire family.
As a premier drug and alcohol rehab with luxury treatment centers around the country, Boca Recovery Center can help you reclaim your life from addiction and co-occurring mental illness. If you’re ready to take the first step or if you just want to learn more, contact us today.
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