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MEntal Illness

What is it?

Mental illness is defined as a condition affecting an individual's feeling, thinking, and mood. While two individuals may experience the same condition, their symptoms may present differently....

Common Signs of a Mental Health Condition
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

  1. Feelings of intense sadness that persists for at least 2 weeks

  2. Engaging in unusual risky behavior

  3. Strong feeling of panic or worry

  4. Using unhealthy eating habits in order to lose weight or to not gain weight

  5. Hallucinating; seeing, hearing, and believing things that are unreal

  6. Compulsive use of drugs or alcohol

  7. Major mood swings, behavior changes, or change in sleeping habits

  8. It is challenging to accomplish tasks without becoming distracted or fidgeting

  9. Inability to complete daily activities due to anxiety and fear

  10. Suicidal thoughts, behaviors, or actions

Depression

Depression is often related to feeling sad and going through a difficult time. However, it is much more than that and can have devastating effects if it is not treated. People diagnosed with depression often experience changes in their daily functioning for at least two weeks.

Symptoms

  • Changes in sleep

  • Changes in appetite

  • Lack of concentration

  • Loss of energy

  • Lack of interest in activities

  • Hopelessness or guilty thoughts

  • Changes in movement (less activity or agitation)

  • Physical aches and pains

  • Suicidal thoughts

Anxiety

Anxiety is often described as having feelings of worry, panic, and fear regarding everyday situations. These feelings can cause interference with daily activities. There are different types of anxiety disorders for example, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and so on.

Managing Stress: Tips from NAMI

  • Make a To-Do list

  • Work out

  • SLEEP!

  • Talk with a friend about time management

  • Eat healthy

  • Make time for yourself

  • Practice mindful meditation or prayer

Stigmas

1.

BLAME: many individuals are blamed for the mental illness they are diagnosed with.

2.

"IT'S JUST A PHASE": people believe that the illness will pass with growth and development.

3.

SHAMING: people with mental illness feel ashamed because of the stigma associated with this

4.

HELPLESS: mental illness is out of a person's control, but people believe that they are not capable of helping themselves

5.

CRAZY: those with mental illness often get label as "crazy"

Symptoms

Emotional symptoms:

  • Feelings of apprehension or dread

  • Feeling tense or jumpy

  • Restlessness or irritability

  • Anticipating the worst and being watchful for signs of danger

Physical symptoms:

  • Pounding or racing heart and shortness of breath

  • Sweating, tremors and twitches

  • Headaches, fatigue and insomnia

  • Upset stomach, frequent urination or diarrhea

Self Assessment

The button below will lead you to a website that allows you to take a self assessment for different disorders. These assessments do not constitute a medical diagnosis. If after taking the assessment you feel that you have the mental illness, it is recommended to seek professional treatment.

Tips & Tricks

Exercise

- Yoga

- PiYo

- Zumba

- Jogging

- Jump rope

Eat Healthy

- Apple slices

- Avocado egg salad

- Grilled chicken breast

- Sweet potato fries

- Salad

Be Positive

- "I am beautiful"

- "I am strong"

- "Today will be a good day"

- Help a friend

Hobbies

- Painting

- Playing Sports

- Reading

- Shopping

- Listening to music

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