Being physically ill often comes with noticeable, physical symptoms. With mental illness, however, the signs are not often obvious.
You have to wonder, is it just a mood, or is it clinical depression – or some other type of issue with your mental health? What’s happening on the inside is not always reflected on the surface. Conversely, a person’s friends or family may notice that something is wrong even though the person cannot tell.
“Mental illness” is a blanket term used to describe a variety of psychological conditions that affect a person’s mood, behavior, and patterns of thinking. A person with a mental health illness will benefit from professional medical help.
How Do I Know if I Have a Mental Illness
Some of the main signs of a mental health illness include the following:
Overwhelming Worry and Anxiety
Worries, anxieties, and stressors – we all have them. However, if the anxiety attacks are frequent and occur for no particular reason, it could be a sign of a mental health issue which is called generalized anxiety disorder.
You may have a generalized anxiety disorder if you answer “yes” to one or both of the following questions:
- Do your negative thoughts interfere with your daily responsibilities and activities?
- Do you have symptoms like a rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, and racing thoughts?
A skilled doctor can help you find relief from your anxiety and feel back to your normal self again.
Persistent and Prolonged Sadness
There are things in life that can make anyone sad. The death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or being diagnosed with a chronic illness can make you feel blue.
But if the feelings of sadness refuse to go away and have lasted for weeks without abating, then it could be due to clinical depression. Persistent feelings of sadness combined with a loss of interest in activities that once made you happy, and wanting to isolate yourself from others, are common symptoms of depression.
Uncharacteristic Emotional Outbursts
Extreme outbursts and mental breakdowns in public are not normal, and they often point to a mental health illness. People who are depressed are more prone to uncharacteristic displays of emotional behavior; their moods are often so volatile that they change moods at a drop of a hat.
Substance Abuse
The daily struggles of living with a mental health illness, especially an undiagnosed and untreated one, could drive you to abuse legal or illegal substances. These may include marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and prescription opioids, and any of these can endanger your life. Drug abuse is a condition that requires treatment, so seek medical attention immediately before it’s too late.
Mental Illness Diagnosis and Treatment in Frisco, Texas
Keep in mind that a mental health illness is not a character flaw, it is a physical ailment that is caused by a chemical imbalance in your body. It can therefore be fairly easily treated with medication.
If you are experiencing symptoms of depression or another type of mental health issue, Dr. Rani Anbarasu of Star Medical Associates can help you heal and recover from your illness. With proper support from people who truly care about your treatment and recovery, you can be free of your symptoms and start feeling normal again.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Anbarasu, call us today at our Denton office at (940) 382-6900 or our Frisco office at (469) 301-2300. You can also request an appointment by filling out our online form now. We look forward to hearing from you.
