Mental illness diagnoses have been on the rise in the United States. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness 21% of U.S. citizens experienced mental illness in 2020. As mental illness continues to rise across the U.S. it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of mental illness. Recognizing small changes in yourself or others is paramount since it can lead to early intervention which enormously improves the chances of early stabilization.
If you or your loved one is showing the signs and symptoms of mental illness, then it is important to seek help from a licensed facility or provider promptly.
What Is A Mental Illness?
Mental Illnesses are health conditions that cause changes in an individual’s mood, thoughts, and/or behaviors. Normally mental health conditions are associated with negative emotions and issues functioning socially, professionally, and personally. Mental illnesses are extremely common. In any given year it is estimated that one in five U.S. adults experience mental illness.
Mental Health conditions affect an individual’s ability to function on a daily basis. These diagnoses impact a person’s productive activities (i.e. school, work, caregiving), relationships, and ability to cope with life changes.
The term mental illness refers to all diagnosable mental health disorders which involve:
- Significant changes in thoughts, emotions, and/or behavior
- Issues functioning in daily activities including work, activities, relationships, school, ect.
An individual’s mental health is the cornerstone for their emotions, thoughts, communication style, ability to learn, ability to adapt, and their personal beliefs about themselves. It also impacts relationships, the ability to function and contribute to society, and an individual’s emotional well-being. It is common for individuals who struggle with mental illness to be in denial or not want to talk about their diagnosis. This is due to the fact that there still exists a stigma surrounding mental health disorders. It is important to note that mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, it is similar to having heart disease or any other health condition. Fortunately, mental illnesses are treatable. At The Healing Center we help our clients suffering from mental illness with a variety of therapeutic services. We take a compassionate approach with each of our clients in order to help them understand that mental illness is simply a health condition that requires proper treatment.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Mental Illness?
Mental illness can happen to anyone, similar to addiction it does not discriminate. Anyone can struggle with mental illness despite their age, gender, culture, social status, religion, sexual orientation, social status, or any other aspect of social identity. It is important to note that mental illness can occur at any age, but 75% of mental illness symptoms begin by the age of 24.
Mental health conditions can take many forms depending on the individual. Someone may experience mild symptoms which only interfere with their life in small ways. While others may experience severe symptoms of mental illness which requires inpatient hospitalization care.
There are many different signs and symptoms of mental illness, since there are many different conditions and they all may appear differently depending on the individual. That being said here are some of the most common signs and symptoms of mental illnesses:
- Unexplained or severe phobias
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Inability to concentrate or focus
- Insomnia
- Suicidal/homicidal thoughts
- Feelings of deep sadness
- Mania
- Loss of motivation
- Inability to be productive in daily living
- Aggression
Those are just some of the signs and symptoms of mental illness. As stated before, mental illness can appear differently in everyone. The most important thing to keep in mind is that if you or a loved one is showing signs of emotional or behavioral changes that they speak to a licensed mental health professional in order to rule out or properly treat a mental illness as soon as possible.
Mental Illness Treatment In Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Mental illness can impact every facet of an individual’s life. Thankfully mental illness is extremely treatable. At The Healing Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida we offer a mental health treatment program which focuses on stabilizing our patients and giving them the tools they need to go on to lead healthy, fulfilling, and productive lives. We take a compassionate and educational approach when treating our patients. We educate both our clients and their loved ones about the signs and symptoms of mental illness, so that they understand when and where to seek treatment if their condition happens to worsen. We offer a multitude of different therapeutic services in order to build out a well rounded treatment plan including family therapy, individual therapy, medication management, and holistic treatment options. Mental illness treatment is not a one size fits all process and we understand that. If you or your loved one is showing the signs of mental illness and needs a safe and supportive environment to heal, then reach out to our admissions team today.
