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Online Psychiatrist 75855
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.
Many people have mental health concerns from time to time. But a mental health concern becomes a mental illness when ongoing signs and symptoms cause frequent stress and affect your ability to function.
An illness that causes mental distress can make it difficult to live a normal life. Most cases can be treated with medication and psychotherapy (talk therapy).
Symptoms
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.
Examples of signs and symptoms include:
Feeling sad or down
Reduced ability to focus or confused thinking
Extreme guilt or excessive fears and worries
Extreme mood changes of highs and lows
Retire from friends and other activities
Low energy, significant tiredness or trouble sleeping
Paranoia, hallucinations, and detachment from reality are all examples of this.
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, hostility, or violence
Suicidal thoughts
Sometimes, symptoms of a mental disorder manifest as physical problems such as stomach pain, backache, or other unexplained aches, pains, and discomforts.
When to see a Online Psychiatrist 75855
You should see your primary care provider if you are experiencing any symptoms or signs of a mental disorder. Mental illnesses are not easy to treat. If left untreated, they can get worse and lead to serious complications.
If you have 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 or your local emergency number immediately.
Call your mental health specialist.
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 close friend or loved one.
Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone else in your faith community.
Suicidal thinking doesn't get better on its own -- so get help.
Supporting a loved one
Talk to your loved one if they show signs of mental illness. 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 might even be able go with your loved one 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. Your life circumstances may cause you to be more susceptible to developing a mental disorder.
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, which are naturally occurring brain chemicals, transmit signals to other parts and bodies of the brain. 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 problems, a loved one's death or a divorce
A chronic (permanent) 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
An egregious childhood history of neglect or abuse
Few friends, or few healthy relationships
A previous mental illness
Mental illness is very 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. You may have both depression and a substance abuse disorder, for example.
Complications
Disability is most often caused by mental illness. Untreated mental illness can cause severe emotional, behavioral and physical health problems. Complications sometimes linked to mental illness include:
Reduced happiness and enjoyment of life
Family conflict
Relationship problems
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
Poverty and homelessness
Self-harm and harm to others, including suicide or homicide
Weakened immune system, so your body has a hard time resisting infections
Other medical conditions, such as heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases
Prevention
There's no sure way to prevent mental illness. 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:
Be aware of warning signs. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor. Make a plan so that you know what to do if symptoms return. If you notice any changes in your symptoms, or how you feel, contact your doctor or therapist. 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.
Seek help immediately. It is more difficult to treat mental health conditions if they get worse. A long-term maintenance treatment may also be helpful in preventing relapses.
Take good care of yourself. Sufficient sleep, healthy eating, and regular physical activity are important. Try to maintain a regular schedule. Talk to your Online Psychiatrist 75855 if you have trouble sleeping or if you have questions about diet and physical activity.
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