The distinction between mental health and mental illness isn’t always obvious – one man’s shyness is another man’s case of social phobia, for example. It’s often difficult to distinguish normal mental health from mental illness because there’s no easy test to show if something’s wrong. To determine whether or not your wellness has been affected by a mental health condition, there are two things that mental health providers set out to assess; others’ perceptions of you and your behaviour, and your symptoms. Your mental health professional will assess your wellbeing by working with you and your loved ones, but what exactly are they looking for?
1. Others’ perceptions: The problem with mental issues is that you’re probably not the best person to assess your own state of mind. In order to get an accurate picture of your behaviour, thoughts or ability to function, you need the opinions of other people in your life to determine whether your behaviour is normal or healthy. In the case of bipolar disorder, for example, you might think that your mood swings are just the normal ups and downs of life that everyone goes through. However, when these ups and downs are expressed through your words and actions, others around you can see the abnormalities and the problems they are causing in your work, relationships or other areas of your life.
2. Your symptoms: Aside from asking what your symptoms actually are, your mental health provider will ask when they began and how they’ve affected your life. While we’ve gone over how your own perceptions perhaps don’t paint the most objective picture of your mental health, how you perceive your thoughts and behaviours and how much your signs and symptoms affect your daily activities can help determine what you see as normal. Although each mental health condition has its own set of signs and symptoms, it might be advisable to consult a professional if you or a loved one experiences:
- Marked changes in your personality and not wanting to do the things you usually enjoy
- Changes in your eating or sleeping patterns
- Inability to cope with problems or daily activities
- Strange or grandiose ideas
- Excessive anxiety
- Prolonged depression, apathy or hopelessness.
- Thinking or talking about suicide
- Substance abuse
- Extreme mood swings or excessive anger, hostility or violent behaviour
With regards to depressive symptoms, these feelings can often be a normal, temporary reaction to a specific trigger, such as a divorce or bereavement. Depression is a more likely diagnosis if there’s no specific cause to your feelings, or if the symptoms are persistent and severe. Still, for a lot of people with mental health conditions, the signs and symptoms aren’t a good enough warning as they see it as a regular part of life, or they are concerned but avoid getting help out of shame and fear.
However, you should never hesitate to seek advice if you’re concerned about your mental health or that of a loved one. Apart from the fact that mental health is a vital part of life, mental issues can indicate the presence of an underlying health condition, and so you might also need to have a physical exam to rule this out. If you’re concerned about your own mental health, consult your family doctor and make an appointment with a counsellor or psychologist. If it’s a loved one you’re worried about, encourage them to do the same. With appropriate support, it’s possible to identify mental health conditions and explore treatment options, such as medications or counselling.
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