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Online Psychiatrist 76654
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.
An illness that causes mental distress can make it difficult to live a normal life. In most cases, symptoms can be managed with a combination of medications and talk therapy (psychotherapy).
Signs
Depending on the condition, circumstance, and other factors, signs and symptoms of mental illness may vary. Mental illness symptoms can affect emotions, thoughts and behaviors.
Examples of signs and symptoms include:
Feeling sad or down
Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate
Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt
Extreme mood swings of lows and highs
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 or drug use
Major changes in our eating habits
Sex drive changes
Excessive anger, hostility, or 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 should you see a Online Psychiatrist 76654?
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.
If you have suicidal thoughts
Suicidal thoughts and behavior are common with some mental illnesses. 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.
Get help from your primary physician.
Reach out to a close friend or loved one.
Reach out to a minister, spiritual leader, or another member of your faith community.
Suicidal thinking doesn't get better on its own -- so 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. 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
Mental illnesses, in general, are thought to be caused by a variety of genetic and environmental factors:
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
Certain factors may increase your risk of developing a mental illness, including:
An ancestor with mental illness, such as a parent/sibling, has a history
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
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.
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 may lead to severe emotional, behavioral, and physical health problems. Complications sometimes linked to mental illness include:
Reduced happiness and enjoyment of life
Family conflicts
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
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
There's no sure way to prevent mental illness. However, if you have a mental illness, taking steps to control stress, increase your resilience, and boost low self-esteem may help keep your symptoms under control. Follow these steps:
Be aware of warning signs. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor. You will know what to do in case your symptoms return. If you notice any changes in your symptoms, or how you feel, contact your doctor or therapist. To be on the lookout for warning signs, you might consider inviting your family and friends.
Get routine medical care. Don't neglect checkups or skip visits to your primary care provider, especially if you aren't feeling well. You may have a new health problem that needs to be treated, or you may be experiencing side effects of medication.
Seek help immediately. It is more difficult to treat mental health conditions if they 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 76654 if you are having trouble sleeping, or if there are questions about diet and exercise.
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