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Online Psychiatrist 75152
Mental illness is also known as mental health disorders. These conditions affect your mood, thinking, and behavior. Examples of mental illness include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders and addictive behaviors.
People have mental health issues from time to another. A mental health problem can become a mental illness if you have persistent symptoms that cause stress and interfere with your ability to function.
A mental illness can make you miserable and can cause problems in your daily life, such as at school or work or in relationships. Most cases can be treated with medication and psychotherapy (talk therapy).
Signs
Signs and symptoms of mental illness can vary, depending on the disorder, circumstances and other factors. Mental illness symptoms can affect emotions, thoughts and behaviors.
Some examples of symptoms and signs include:
Feeling sad or down
Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate
Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt
Extreme mood changes of highs and lows
Retire from friends and other activities
Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping
Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia or hallucinations
Inability to deal with everyday problems or stress
Trouble understanding and relating to situations and to people
Problems with alcohol and drug abuse
Major changes in our eating habits
Changes are driven by sex
Excessive anger or hostility, violence
Suicidal thinking
Sometimes, symptoms of a mental disorder manifest as physical problems such as stomach pain, backache, or other unexplained aches, pains, and discomforts.
When should you see a Online Psychiatrist 75152?
If you have any signs or symptoms of a mental illness, see your primary care provider or mental health professional. Mental illnesses are not easy to treat. If left untreated, they can get worse and lead to serious complications.
Suicidal thoughts?
Suicidal thoughts and behavior are common with some mental illnesses. If you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, get help right away:
Call 911 immediately or your nearest emergency number.
Contact your mental health professional.
Call a suicide hotline number. In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or use its webchat on suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat.
Get help from your primary physician.
Reach out to a friend or family member.
Reach out to a minister, spiritual leader, or another member of your faith community.
Suicidal thoughts are not something that can be treated on its own. Get help.
Supporting a loved one
If your loved one shows signs of mental illness, have an open and honest discussion with him or her about your concerns. While you may not be in a position to force someone to seek professional help, it is possible to offer support and encouragement. You can help your loved one locate a qualified mental healthcare professional and schedule an appointment. You may even be able to go along to the appointment.
Take your loved one to the hospital if they are attempting self-harm, or if you suspect that they may be doing so.
Causes
A variety of environmental and genetic factors are believed to cause mental illnesses.
Inherited traits. Mental illness is more common in people whose blood relatives also have a mental illness. Certain genes may increase your risk of developing a mental illness, and your life situation may trigger it.
Environmental exposures before birth. Exposure to environmental stressors, inflammatory conditions, toxins, alcohol or drugs while in the womb can sometimes be linked to mental illness.
Brain chemistry. Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that carry signals to other parts of your brain and body. If the neural networks that contain these chemicals become impaired, it can lead to depression and other emotional disorders.
Risk factors
Some factors can increase your chances of developing a mental disorder, such as:
A history of mental illness in a blood relative, such as a parent or sibling
Stressful life situations such as financial difficulties, the death of a loved one, or divorce can cause stress.
An ongoing (chronic) medical condition, such as diabetes
Brain damage as a result of a serious injury (traumatic brain injury), such as a violent blow to the head
Traumatic experiences, such as military combat or assault
Use of alcohol or recreational drugs
A childhood history of abuse or neglect
Few friends, or few healthy relationships
A previous mental illness
Mental illness is common. About 1 in 5 adults has a mental illness in any given year. Mental illness can begin at any age, from childhood through later adult years, but most cases begin earlier in life.
The effects of mental illness can be temporary or long lasting. It is possible to have multiple mental disorders at once. For example, you may have depression and a substance use disorder.
Complications
Disability is most often caused by mental illness. Untreated mental illness may lead to severe emotional, behavioral, and physical health problems. Mental illness can sometimes lead to complications such as:
Reduced happiness and enjoyment of life
Family conflict
Relationship difficulties
Social isolation
Problems with alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs
Missed work or school, or other problems related to work or school
Legal and financial problems
Homelessness and poverty
Self-harm, suicide or homicide.
Weakened immune system, so your body has a hard time resisting infections
Heart disease and other medical conditions
Prevention
Mental illness is not preventable. If you suffer from a mental illness, there are steps you can take to reduce stress, improve your resilience and increase self-esteem. Follow these steps:
Pay attention to warning signs. Work with your doctor or psychiatrist to learn what might trigger your symptoms. You will know what to do in case your symptoms return. Contact your doctor or therapist if you notice any changes in symptoms or how you feel. Consider involving family members or friends to watch for warning signs.
Seek routine medical care, even if you're not feeling well. There may be a new condition that you need to address or side effects from medication.
Get help when you need it. Mental health conditions can be harder to treat if you wait until symptoms get worse. Long-term maintenance treatment also may help prevent a relapse of symptoms.
Take good care of yourself. Sufficient sleep, healthy eating, and regular physical activity are important. Maintain a consistent schedule. Talk to your Online Psychiatrist 75152 if you have trouble sleeping or if you have questions about diet and physical activity.
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