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Online Psychiatrist 76084
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. 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. Emotions, thoughts, and behavior can be affected by mental illness.
Examples of signs and symptoms include:
Feeling down or sad
Reduced ability to focus or confused thinking
Extreme guilt or excessive fears and worries
Extreme mood swings of lows and highs
Retire from friends and other activities
Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping
Paranoia, hallucinations, and detachment from reality are all examples of this.
Inability to deal with everyday problems or stress
Problems understanding and relating with people and situations
Problems with alcohol or drug use
Major changes in our eating habits
Changes are driven by sex
Excessive anger or hostility, violence
Suicidal thinking
Sometimes symptoms of a mental health disorder appear as physical problems, such as stomach pain, back pain, headaches, or other unexplained aches and pains.
When to see a Online Psychiatrist 76084
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?
Some mental illnesses can lead to suicidal thoughts or behavior. Get help immediately if you suspect that you might harm yourself or try suicide.
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.
Seek help from your primary care provider.
Reach out to a close friend or loved one.
Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone else in your faith community.
Suicidal thoughts are not something that can be treated on its own. Get help.
Helping a loved one
Talk to your loved one if they show signs of mental illness. You may not be able to force someone to get professional care, but you can offer encouragement and support. 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. 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, which are naturally occurring brain chemicals, transmit signals to other parts and bodies of the brain. When the neural networks involving these chemicals are impaired, the function of nerve receptors and nerve systems change, leading to depression and other emotional disorders.
Risk factors
Certain factors may increase your risk of developing a mental illness, including:
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
An ongoing (chronic) medical condition, such as diabetes
Traumatic brain injury (brain damage) is caused by a serious injury, such as a head injury or a violent blow.
Traumatic experiences such as combat or assault in military service are examples.
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. Although mental illness can occur at any age, including childhood and later adult years of life, most cases start earlier in life.
Mental illness can have both temporary and long-lasting effects. You also can have more than one mental health disorder at the same time. For example, you may have depression and a substance use disorder.
Complications
Mental illness is a leading cause of disability. 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 tobacco, alcohol 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.
Your immune system is weak, and your body will have a difficult time resisting infection
Heart disease and other medical conditions
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. These are the steps to follow:
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.
Get help when you need it. Mental health conditions can be harder to treat if you wait until symptoms get worse. A long-term maintenance treatment may also be helpful in preventing relapses.
Take care of yourself. Healthy eating habits, regular exercise, and adequate sleep are all important. Try to maintain a regular schedule. Talk to your Online Psychiatrist 76084 if you are having trouble sleeping, or if there are questions about diet and exercise.
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