What is Mental Illness?

Mental Illness, also known as a psychiatric disorder, is a health condition that affects a person's thinking, mood, and behavior.

The symptoms of mental illness can range from mild to severe and it depends on which type of mental illness it is. A person who is diagnosed with mental illness is usually unable to cope with life's daily routines and demands.

​

Mental Illness occurs when the brain or part of the brain is not working well or is working the in wrong way. Moreover, when the brain is not working properly there's a possibility that one or more of its six functions will be disrupted and these are: thinking, perception, emotion, signaling, physical, and behavior. 

​

The symptoms of mental illness rely on which type it is. However, there are common and basic symptoms that you can easily notice when a person is developing a mental illness such as sleep problem, thinking difficulties and extreme emotional high and low. 

​

Diagnosis of mental illness in an adult is easier than teenagers, since teenagers have stages in which they experience episodes of sadness, anxiety, and frustration. And so, we can't easily verify if a particular teenager has mental illness because it is normal that they undergo in this kind of situation from time to time. We can't assume these episodes as symptoms of mental illness unless when these episodes happen chronically.

Here are some concerning behaviors:

• The decrease in enjoyment and time spent with family and friends.

• A significant decrease in school performance.

• Strong resistance to attending school or absenteeism.

• Problems with memory, attention or concentration.

• Big changes in energy level, eating or sleeping patterns.

• Physical symptoms like stomach aches, headaches or backaches.

• Feeling hopelessness, sadness, anxiety, crying often

• Frequent aggression, disobedience, or lashing out verbally

• Excessive neglect of personal appearance or hygiene

• Substance abuse

• Dangerous or illegal thrill-seeking behavior

• Overly suspicious of others

• Sees or hears things that others do not