Symptoms:

There are many signs and symptoms of mental illnesses depending on the disorder, circumstances and other factors. Mental illness symptoms can affect emotions, thoughts, behaviors and ability to interact with others.

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 changes of highs and lows
• Feelings of doom/gloom
• Withdrawal from friends and activities
• Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping
• Excessive worry
• Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia or hallucinations
• Inability to cope with daily problems or stress
• Feeling trapped, no way out
• Trouble understanding and relating to situations and to people
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Hyperventilation
• Major changes in eating habits
• Sex drive changes
• Excessive anger, hostility or violence
• Crying spells
• Suicidal thinking

Learning about developing symptoms, or early warning signs, and taking action can help. Early intervention can help reduce the severity of an illness. It may even be possible to delay or prevent a major mental illness altogether.

For more information on any of these symptoms, please call your health care provider or a mental health professional.

Tips for Good Mental Health:

1. Take Care of yourself. Be active and eat well. Get out and go for a nice walk! Enjoy nutritious meals. Mental health and physical health are closely linked; it’s easier to feel good about life when your body feels good. Drink plenty of water and get an adequate amount of sleep each night.
2. Be Positive. Try to change your outlook. Positive thinking creates positive outcomes. Build relationships with people who will enrich your life.
3. Learn How to Deal with Stress. Stress, unfortunately, is a part of life. Try to avoid some of the triggers and learn to prepare for or manage others. Coping skills like relaxation breathing, meditation or yoga are also stress relievers.
4. Set Goals. Challenge yourself to be the best you can be. Striving to meet goals builds confidence and learning improves your mental fitness.
5. Take time to enjoy. Don’t overdo it. Learn to take some time for yourself. Read a book or go on vacation. Set aside time to rest and relax.
6. Ask for help. It’s okay to need help. Seeking help is a sign of strength- not weakness. Know your limits. When things get overwhelming, ask for assistance.

For more health tips, please visit: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net