Early Signs of Mental Illnesses That You Should Definitely Pay Attention To!

Mental illnesses are still not taken as seriously as physical illnesses today. But they are now one of the main reasons for absenteeism from work. Symptoms such as burnout and depression are affecting more and more people, meaning they struggle with daily functioning. Since the authorities and employers often lack sensitivity, each person is forced to take care of themselves and their psychological well-being.

Today: Signs of Mental Illness

In this article we present the 12 early warning signs of mental illness that you should take seriously by seeking professional help, as this article is not a substitute for a medical diagnosis. 

1. Restlessness and worry. 

In our society, it is almost an epidemic. Many people constantly feel nervous, are on the go, need take care of something and even have no thoughts in the evening other than worries and problems. This is not normal and will damage your state of mind in the long run. Those who are constantly stressed are not the winners in this world, but rather those who can live in peace and maintain a good mental balance. Boring thoughts put your body in a permanent state of emergency. As you will see shortly, this can also have negative side effects physically in the long run. 

2. Dramatic mood swings.

It's perfectly okay to feel angry, sad, or disappointed. However, after periods of emotional upheaval, your state of mind usually returns to normal. We humans are designed by nature to be capable of accommodating short-term states of excitement and stress. But then we have to calm down again, otherwise our bodies will suffer and the structure of our brains, along with our personalities, could be permanently changed. 

3. Guilt.

If you constantly feel guilty or unworthy, you may be living with guilt. This can manipulate you without your knowledge, or it can be very obvious. If you always feel like you’ve done something wrong or you need to make amends, these are additional clues you’re living with guilt. People who feel guilty generally don’t stand up for themselves. They are less likely to defend themselves against injustices and the nasty behavior of their fellow human beings. They tend to quietly withdraw. Blaming yourself too much for problems can set the stage for depression.

4. Sadness.

Guilt and sadness often go hand in hand. Sadness doesn't always have to express itself as a feeling of wanting to cry. It can also be a strange dark void that threatens to engulf ourselves. Many people who are already suffering from severe depression describe this picture. The actual triggers of depression are not always recognizable. You can have a perfect life in which everything seems to be going well, but inner guilt sabotages you so badly that you feel deeply sad and empty time after time.

5. Strange behaviors or tics.

The constant tapping of the feet, biting of fingernails, clearing of the throat, scratching or other repetitive behaviors can indicate a nerve disorder. Ticks are compensatory actions that result from overstimulating certain parts of the nervous system. In medical speak, this is called “psychomotor restlessness”. These behaviors are often unconscious and sufferers may be unaware of them until someone points them out.

6. Trouble sleeping and grinding your teeth.

When you lie down in bed at night, sleep eludes you. Instead of slowly dozing off, your head spins with thoughts. The day keeps your mind busy for a long time, but thinking does not give you a feeling of satisfaction. Instead, it makes you worry. Before you know it, you're wide awake in your bed struggling to get to sleep again. At night, you toss and turn, grind your teeth, or force your tongue into the roof of your mouth. These can all be signs of severe inner tension.

7 Immune deficiencies and immune disorders.

All of the ailments already mentioned will put your body in a constant state of emergency. It is in fear, constantly subject to the fight or flight mode response. In this state, the brain shuts down large parts of the immune system to have more energy to fight or flee. The consequence is an increased susceptibility to infections of all kinds. Overreactions of the immune system, such as lupus, thyroid problems, allergies, digestive disorders or rheumatoid arthritis, can later develop.

8. Stomach pain.

It is not for nothing that people say something makes them sick to their stomach. Nervous upsets also change the composition of stomach acid in the body and thus the ability to digest food. Your body naturally prefers food that can be used up quickly. You often have a greater desire for sweets or white flour products. People under constant stress tend to chew less well. They eat faster than average and practically inhale the food. Digestive problems such as constipation and hyperacidity are the first to appear. Burping, flatulence and heartburn all become more frequent. This later develops into chronic stomach pain or, in the worst case, gastric ulcers.

9. Chronic Pain.

In addition to your stomach pain, your head and your eyes will also tell you very quickly if you are under constant stress. Your eyes will become itchy and dry. Your head will hurt regularly or at times of extreme overload. Headaches, a dull pressure, stabbing pains or migraines are among the most common early warning signals of mental overload. 

10 Passive behavior and withdrawal.

If your mental state has given up on you, you will change your behavior. You will become withdrawn. This is not always clearly recognizable to begin with. You may suddenly develop illnesses or ailments that force you to stay at home and take time off. In companies where psychological pressure is commonplace, people tend to resign internally. They're still functioning on the outside and doing what’s necessary to keep themselves alive, but internally they've completely given up.

11. Changes in appetite and weight.

Changes in appetite and weight are common symptoms of early depression. While some people suddenly lose interest in food, others may end up binging to satisfy their emotional hunger. Both are abnormal behaviors and a reason to seek help if necessary.

12. Alcoholism and other addictions.

It's just the daily beer after work or the bottle of wine with your partner. But as soon as you cut the drink, you realize you're missing something. You are nervous, in a bad mood and ever more tense inside. You'll feel better as soon as you have another glass. It's a mental addiction to alcohol. Chronic pain can tempt you to turn to painkillers. They’ll suddenly make you feel a lot lighter. But your body will soon get used to this easy remedy from the pharmacy. Dependency on alcohol, painkillers, sleeping pills and illegal substances has already reached an alarmingly high level in our society. Nevertheless, these problems are still taboo subjects that hardly anyone talks openly about.

Today’s Conclusion

Anyone who recognizes the signs mentioned above in themselves should definitely not take them lightly. Although mental illnesses are not always the reason, it is still advisable to consult a doctor. Once a reliable diagnosis has been performed, there are a variety of treatment and therapeutic options that can be discussed with a trained professional. For milder cases of mental illness, it can also be useful to consult a variety of self-help materials and information about other people’s experiences on the internet. That's it for now.