In this year approximately one in five adults in the U.S. will experience a mental health condition like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or post- traumatic stress disorder. To bring awareness and reduce the shame and stigma that surrounds these illnesses, President Obama has proclaimed May 2015 to be National Mental Health Awareness Month, 2015.
What are the Early Warning Signs of Mental Illness? Having a combination of symptoms (not just one symptom) indicates that someone might be showing signs of a mental health condition. Pay attention to these symptoms when they last longer than a few weeks.
• Problems with concentration, memory or ability to think clearly.
• Feeling overly worried.
• Changes in eating such as loss of appetite or overeating.
• Unable to complete school or work tasks.
• Feeling sad, hopeless or worthless.
• Loss of interest in activities that were previously enjoyable.
• Social withdrawal.
• Irritability and/or restlessness.
• Changes in energy levels or sleep patterns.
• Sex drive changes.
• Extreme mood changes.
Many mental health illnesses can be effectively treated with one or a combination of medication and psychotherapy. There are day programs or partial hospital programs and in more serious cases inpatient hospital programs. There are a variety of professionals that can provide psychotherapy or counseling services. These include psychologists, licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) and licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC). These professionals must adhere to strict rules of confidentiality to protect client’s privacy.
Many gain support and valuable information from support groups. For more information on support groups visit National Alliance on Mental Health www.nami.org or Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance www.dbsalliance.org
Talk with your doctor or mental health professional about your mental health concerns.
If you or someone close to you has thoughts or a plan of killing one’s self or someone else seek immediate attention by calling 911 or going to your nearest emergency room.
