Here are some common signs in mental illness

Telling the distinction between typical behaviors and what might be the signs of a mental illness aren’t always apparent. There is no simple test that can let a person know if there is mental illness or if thoughts and actions might be standard behaviors of a person or the result of a physical illness.

Each illness has its own symptoms. However, there are some common signs of mental illness in adults and adolescents that can include the following:

  • Avoiding friends and social activities

  • Excessive worry or fear

  • Feeling extremely sad or low

  • Confused thinking or trouble concentrating

  • Unwarranted mood changes, including extreme “highs” or feelings of euphoria

  • Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger

  • Trouble understanding or relating to other people

  • Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy

  • Changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite

  • Changes in sex drive

  • Difficulty perceiving reality (delusions or hallucinations, in which a person experiences and senses things that don't exist in objective reality)

  • Inability to perceive changes in one’s own feelings, behavior or personality

  • Abuse of alcohol or drugs

  • Multiple physical ailments without causes (such as headaches, stomach aches, vague and ongoing “aches and pains”)

  • Thoughts about suicide

  • Inability to carry out daily activities

  • An intense concern with appearance

Mental health conditions can also arise in children. Because they’re still learning how to talk about thoughts and emotions, their most obvious symptoms are behavioral. Symptoms in children may include:

  • Changes in school performance

  • Excessive worry or anxiety, for instance fighting to avoid bed or school

  • Hyperactive behavior

  • Frequent nightmares

  • Frequent disobedience or aggression

  • Frequent temper tantrums

Contact us if you need help

Don’t be afraid to reach out if you or someone you know needs help.

Cowlitz County services: 360-423-0203

Grays Harbor services: 360-612-0012

Learning all you can about mental health is an important first step.


Bob Crisman