One in five adults in the United States struggles with mental health concerns. Around half of the people who develop mental illness show symptoms before the age of 14, but unfortunately, they are often not diagnosed and do not receive help until much later. The time that passes between the onset and diagnosis is time that is lost, when the person could be recovering and living their fullest life. At Carolina Dunes Behavioral Health, in Leland, North Carolina, we want you to recognize the signs that you or a loved one is struggling with mental illness.
Red Flags That Are Frequently Missed
If you see the following signs, it is important to reach out for professional support, as these can be an indication of a medical or mental health condition:
- Changes to sleep, energy levels, appetite, or appearance
- Physical pain with no clear cause, including headaches, digestive issues, and/or abdominal pain, or body aches
- Perfectionism
- Numbed or really big emotions
- Avoidance that extends beyond typical procrastination and becomes a pattern centered around specific triggers
- Misusing substances
- Ideas that don’t make sense
- Experiencing things others don’t, such as voices, physical sensations, or seeing things that no one else sees
- Suicidal thoughts – look for indicators in the person’s speech, social media posts, and things they put into writing, such as wishing for death, saying others would be better off without them, being obsessed with death or violence, feeling trapped or hopeless, wrapping up loose ends by giving away cherished possessions, making a will, and saying goodbye, or gathering up objects they would use to kill themselves
Warning Signs in Children and Teens
Because mental illness often starts young, it is important to recognize that children and adolescents may show signs that are different from adults, such as:
- Changes in school performance
- Hyperactivity
- Nightmares
- More defiant, aggressive behavior than other children
- Frequent tantrums
- Showing more fear than their peers
Risk Factors for Mental Health Disorders
While mental illness can happen to anyone, there are a few things that increase a person’s risk of developing a mental health disorder:
- Genetics: Having a blood relative with a mental health condition
- Prenatal exposure: A pregnant mother who is stressed, has specific medical conditions, is exposed to toxins, or misuses drugs or alcohol, is more likely to have a baby who later develops mental health concerns.
- Brain chemistry: Low levels of certain brain chemicals can cause mental health conditions.
- Trauma: Scary, painful, or overwhelming life experiences can be a catalyst for mental illness. Abuse, combat, the sudden loss of a loved one, surviving a natural disaster, and witnessing violence are all types of trauma. More trauma and less support increase the risk of mental illness developing.
Where to Get Help
If you just see a couple of the signs above on rare occasions, that is probably not cause for concern, but a sustained pattern of multiple issues is a reason to seek out support. Some ways you might be able to access help include:
- The family doctor: If you’re concerned that there could be an underlying medical cause or your insurance requires a referral for mental health treatment, this can be a great place to start.
- Their spiritual leader: Some people and some cultures may be resistant to seeking out mental health treatment, but more receptive to guidance from clergy. This can be a particularly helpful ally if the spiritual leader is knowledgeable about mental health and will encourage the person to get professional treatment.
- A crisis line: 988 is one of many crisis resources that people in North Carolina can utilize to access a trained crisis counselor, who can help them navigate an urgent situation and access more long-term supports.
- Hospital emergency room: If the person is a danger to themselves or others, do not hesitate to call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency department.
- Self-referral: If you are paying out of pocket or your insurance does not require a referral from your primary care doctor, you may be able to just call a mental health provider and schedule an intake appointment.
At Carolina Dunes Behavioral Health, we recognize that the sooner a person gets a diagnosis, the faster they can start to recover and the more likely they are to make a full recovery. We have a team of caring professionals who are ready to help them begin that process.
