Mental illness - Symptoms and causes

 Mental illness, also called mental health disorders, refers to a wide range of mental health conditions - disorders that affect your mood, thinking, and behavior. Examples of mental illness include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and addictive behaviors.

Many people have mental health problems from time to time. But a mental health problem turns into a mental illness when ongoing signs and symptoms cause frequent stress and affect your ability to function.

Mental illness can make you miserable and cause problems in your daily life, such as at school, work, or in relationships. In most cases, symptoms can be controlled with a combination of medications and psychotherapy (psychotherapy).

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of a mental illness can vary, depending on the disorder, circumstances, and other factors. The symptoms of mental illness can affect emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

Some examples of signs and symptoms include:

• Feeling sad or depressed
• Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate
• Excessive fear or worry or extreme feelings of guilt
• Extreme mood swings of ups and downs
• Withdrawal of friends and activities
• Significant tiredness, low energy, or trouble sleeping.
• Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia, or hallucinations
• Inability to cope with daily problems or stress.
• Difficulty understanding and relating to situations and people.
• Problems with alcohol or drug use.
• Major changes in eating habits
• Changes in sexual desire
• Excessive anger, hostility, or violence
• Suicidal thought

Sometimes the symptoms of a mental health disorder show up as physical problems, such as stomach pain, back pain, headaches, or other unexplained aches and pains.

When to see a doctor

If you have any signs or symptoms of mental illness, see your primary care provider or mental health professional. Most mental illnesses do not get better on their own, and if left untreated, a mental illness can get worse over time and cause serious problems.

Help a loved one

If your loved one shows signs of mental illness, have an open and honest conversation with him about his concerns. You may not be able to force someone to get professional care, but you can offer encouragement and support. You can also help your loved one find a qualified mental health professional and make an appointment. You may even be able to keep the appointment.

If your loved one has or is considering self-injury, take the person to the hospital or call for emergency help.

Causes

Mental illnesses, in general, are believed to be caused by a variety of genetic and environmental factors:

Inherited traits Mental illness is more common in people whose blood relatives also have a mental illness. Certain genes can increase your risk of developing mental illness, and your life situation can trigger it.

Environmental exposures before birth. Exposure to environmental stressors, inflammatory conditions, toxins, alcohol, or drugs while in the womb can sometimes be related to mental illness.

Brain chemistry. Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that transmit signals to other parts of the brain and body. When the neural networks that involve these chemicals deteriorate, the function of nerve receptors and nervous systems changes, leading to depression and other emotional disorders.

Risk factor's

Certain factors can increase your risk of developing mental illness, including:

• History of mental illness in a blood relative, such as a parent or sibling.
• Stressful life situations, such as financial problems, the death of a loved one, or a divorce.
• An ongoing (chronic) medical condition, such as diabetes
• Brain damage as a result of a serious injury (traumatic brain injury), such as a violent blow to the head
• Traumatic experiences, such as combat or military assault
• Use of alcohol or recreational drugs.
• A childhood history of abuse or neglect.
• Few friends or few healthy relationships
• A previous mental illness