Unlike physical illnesses, there are no simple medical tests to diagnose mental illnesses. A mental health care professional can study a patient using a list of symptoms, behaviors and feelings over a period of time to make an official diagnosis of a mental illness.
It can be difficult to know the difference between expected behaviors and what could be the signs of a mental illness in a person. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that each illness has a defined set of symptoms, but common signs of mental illness in children and adults can include the following:
- Excessive worrying or fear
- Feeling excessively sad or low
- Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning
- Extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” or feelings of euphoria
- Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger
- Avoiding friends and social activities
- Difficulties understanding or relating to other people
- Changes in sleeping habits
- Feeling tired and having low energy levels
- Changes in eating habits, such as increased hunger or lack of appetite
- Changes in sex drive
- Difficulty perceiving reality (delusions or hallucinations in which a person experiences and senses things that don't exist in objective reality)
- Inability to perceive changes in one’s own feelings, behavior or personality (“lack of insight” or anosognosia)
- Overuse of substances like alcohol or drugs
- Multiple physical ailments without obvious causes (such as headaches, stomach aches, vague and ongoing “aches and pains”)
- Thoughts of suicide
- Inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stress
- An intense fear of weight gain or concern with appearance
What are some warning signs of emotional distress?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) notes that emotional distress can often manifest during or after a crisis. Stress and anxiety symptoms due to physical injury, property damage, or loss of a home or workplace are usually temporary, but for some, including children and teens, can last much longer. There are mental health resources available that can help.
Here are some common warning signs of emotional distress:
- Eating or sleeping too much or too little
- Pulling away from people and things
- Having low or no energy
- Having unexplained aches and pains, such as constant stomachaches or headaches
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
- Excessive smoking, drinking or using drugs, including prescription medications
- Worrying a lot of the time; feeling guilty but not sure why
- Thinking of hurting or killing yourself or someone else
- Having difficulty readjusting to home or work life
What are the 5 signs of emotional suffering?
Emotional suffering is the response to a stressful experience or the memory of a stressful experience. Knowing the five signs of emotional suffering can help you recognize when you or someone close to you may need to seek help, according to Dartmouth Health.
Here are the five signs of emotional suffering:
- Personality changes in a person that seem out of character
- Agitation or displays of anger, anxiety or extreme mood swings
- Extreme withdrawal or isolation
- Poor self-care habits or engaging in risky behavior
- Feelings of hopelessness or feeling overwhelmed or worthless
Here are five ways to address these signs of emotional suffering:
- Improve overall health by eating healthy, getting plenty of sleep and remaining active
- Check in with friends, family and other important people in your life
- Engage with loved ones and maintain healthy relationships
- Find ways to relax, such as meditation, cooking, gardening, reading or yoga
- Know the five signs of emotional suffering and when to seek help for yourself or someone else
What are some signs of good emotional health?
Emotional health is an important part of overall mental health support. It is the ability to identify and cope with emotions, both positive and negative. WebMD reports that emotionally healthy people employ good coping mechanisms for negative emotions and know when to reach out for help.
Emotional wellness can mean the ability to talk freely with someone about emotional concerns and share feelings with others. Those with good emotional health are also more likely to say “no” when they need to without the guilt often associated with it. Emotional wellness can be an overall feeling of contentment or identifying a strong support network of people who care. It can also manifest in the ability to simply relax.
If you are unable to identify with at least some of these definitions of good emotional health, it may be time to consider talking to a professional about it. There are many community resources for mental health support available.
Why is emotional health important?
Mental health includes emotional, psychological and social well-being. It can affect how we think, act and feel. Emotional health can also determine how we handle stressful situations and relate to others. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, maintaining good mental health is crucial at every stage of life.
The CDC reports that mental health and physical health are equally important because mental health challenges can contribute to physical health issues. For example, depression can increase the risk of health issues like diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Conversely, chronic physical health conditions can increase the risk of mental illness.
It's important to take the same care of your mental health as your physical health. If you or someone you know is exhibiting signs of poor emotional health, it may be time to contact a mental health professional in your area.