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what is mental illness? | |
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symptoms | |
| adults | ||
| children | ||
| seniors | ||
| caregivers | ||
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facts & myths | |
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good advice | |
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resource links |
Symptoms vary depending on the type of mental illness, but some of the general symptoms include:
Abuse of drugs and/or alcohol
Inability
to cope with daily problems
and activities
Changes
in sleeping and/or eating habits
Excessive
complaints of physical ailments
Defying
authority, skipping school,
stealing
or damaging property
Intense
fear of gaining weight
Long-lasting
negative moods, often
accompanied
by poor appetite and
thoughts
of death
Frequent outbursts
of anger
Changes
in school performance, such as
poor grades despite good efforts
Loss
of interest in friends and activities they usually enjoy
Significant
increase in time spent alone
Excessive
worrying or anxiety
Hyperactivity
Persistent
nightmares
Persistent
disobedience or aggressive behavior
Frequent
temper tantrums
Hearing
voices or seeing things that are not
there
(hallucinations)
Please note: This
guide is for informational purposes only.
It is not meant to
be used as a diagnostic
tool. It is very
important that you seek a professional evaluation if you
have concerns about yourself or a loved one.
"We envision a future when everyone with a mental illness will recover, a future when mental illnesses can be prevented or cured, a future when mental illnesses are detected early, and a future when everyone with a mental illness at any stage of life has access to effective treatment and supports— essentials for living, working, learning and participating fully in the community."
Vision Statement, The President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, 2003
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