Mental illness symptoms challenge millions of Australians every year. Yet recognising mental illness symptoms isn’t always straightforward. Sometimes it can be easy to spot the signs, but other times mental illness symptoms are virtually invisible. What can sometimes seem like just a rough patch might in fact be the sign of something much more serious underneath the surface.
Approximately 43% of Australians aged 16 to 85 will experience a mental disorder at some time in their life. In any given 12-month period, about 22% of Australians experience a mental illness. This means one in five people you know are struggling, and being able to recognise mental illness symptoms is the first step in being able to give them the support they need.
What is Mental Illness?
Mental illness is a general term for health conditions that affect how a person thinks, feels, behaves, or interacts with others by making them more challenging. These conditions exist across a spectrum; mental illness symptoms can range from minor disruptions to major challenges and the same condition can affect two people in completely different ways. Some can last briefly, while others can persist. The causes are just as varied, and can include genetics, environmental factors, and life experiences.
While mental illness symptoms can sometimes be invisible to those not suffering from them, mental illness is a real health condition, not a character flaw, weakness or personal failing. Just as a person with asthma is not at fault over their condition, so too is a person suffering from mental illness symptoms unable to just get better. The good news is that, as with most other health conditions, mental illness symptoms are treatable, and with the right support, most people recover and live productive, fulfilling lives.
Types of Mental Health Issues
Mental health conditions affect millions of Australians, yet each disorder presents differently. Recognising the differences can help you identify what kind of support a person needs.
Depression
Depressive disorders affect millions of people and rank among the most common mental health conditions. People with depression experience persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, a loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed, changes in appetite and sleep patterns, difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness, and low energy levels.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders represent the most prevalent mental health conditions in Australia. These disorders include generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, and specific phobias. People experiencing symptoms of anxiety may feel excessive worry, restlessness, rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling or difficulty breathing.
ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterised by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. While often associated with children, many adults struggle with ADHD and may not get diagnosed until later in life due to misconceptions about how it presents. While mental illness symptoms like difficulty focusing, sitting still, or controlling impulsive behaviours are well known, subtler symptoms like difficulty with organisation, time management, executive dysfunction and maintaining relationships aren’t as famous.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops after experiencing or witnessing traumatic events such as accidents or violence. People with PTSD may experience flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety and uncontrollable thoughts about the traumatic event and avoid places, people or situations that remind them of the trauma.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is characterised by extreme mood swings between manic highs and depressive lows. During manic episodes, people may feel euphoric, have excessive energy, engage in risky behaviours and sleep little. Depressive episodes bring feelings of sadness, hopelessness, low energy and thoughts of death or suicide.
Warning Signs of Mental Health Problems
While no single sign or symptom is enough to diagnose mental illness or mood disorders, knowing the common warning signs is the best place to start. From there, you can start directing a person towards the help and support that they need for a proper diagnosis of mental illness, and the specific treatment they’ll need.
Changes in Mood, Thoughts, or Behaviour
Dramatic personality changes can signal a developing mental illness, be they sudden and dramatic or slow and gradual. Irritability, anger, mood swings, overreactions, risk taking, emotional instability, or someone just generally not seeming like themselves are all common outward manifestations. Inward, cognitive changes and persistent negative thoughts like “I’m worthless” or “Everything is my fault” indicate a drop in someone’s mental well-being.
Changes in Sleeping Patterns
Sleep disturbances often accompany mental health conditions, including both increases and decreases in sleep. Oversleeping more often, insomnia, persistent nightmares, and falling asleep outside of regular times can all affect mood, concentration and overall functioning.
Feeling Physically Ill
Signs of mental illness can include physical symptoms. These include headaches, stomach aches, muscle tension, rapid heartbeat, and unexplained pain that persist without a clear medical cause.
Social Isolation and Lack of Motivation or Interest
Self-harm or withdrawal behaviour represents a significant warning sign that someone might be developing a mental health issue. When someone stops engaging in activities they previously enjoyed, tasks they need to do, or stops spending time with friends or family, it can be the symptoms of mental illness beginning.
Changes in Eating Habits, or Drug and Alcohol Use
Significant changes in appetite or eating patterns can signal mental health struggles. Someone might eat much more or less than usual due to stress and coping mechanisms, leading to noticeable weight changes over a short period. Some might even resort to abusing drugs or alcohol to cope with a mental health disorder.
Get Help with Mental Health First Aid
By taking a mental health first aid training course, you can not only learn how to recognise the signs of psychological distress, but also what you can do to help someone find effective treatment. Whether you’re experiencing symptoms or it’s someone you love, with this training it’s easier to find the mental health resources you need and start the journey towards accurate diagnosis and treatments for mental illness. Information about mental illness symptoms are at your finger tips, you just need to take the action that could help someone living with mental illness symptoms.
FAQs
What Are The Signs and Symptoms of Drug or Alcohol Abuse?
Signs include increased tolerance requiring larger amounts, unsuccessful attempts to reduce use and defensive reactions when questioned about consumption. Physical symptoms may include changes in appearance, neglecting responsibilities and continuing use despite negative consequences.
How Do You Diagnose Mental Disorders in Children?
Children may express mental health challenges differently than adults, making diagnosis more complex. If you’re concerned your child might be developing a mental illness it is best to take them to your doctor who can make a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan if necessary.
How Do I Find a Mental Health Service?
Start by speaking with your general practitioner, who can provide assessment, initial treatment or referrals to appropriate specialists. Services like healthdirect (1800 022 222) can help you find doctors, psychologists and other mental health professionals in your area.
