(upbeat music)
- Hey, Psych2Goers.
Have you been feeling overly anxious lately?
Perhaps you've been eating less
or have been feeling really down.
Sometimes you might read all about mental illnesses online
and how it affects people,
but then you find yourself at a loss for the signs
and what to look out for
in those who may be experiencing symptoms
of mental illness.
You might be wanting to help a friend
or are worried about them, but just don't know what to do.
So if you want to be more informed about the warning signs
of a mental illness, here are eight early warning signs.
Before we begin,
we would like to mention that this video was created
for educational purposes only,
and is not intended to substitute a professional diagnosis.
If you suspect you may have a mental health condition,
we highly advise you to seek help
from a qualified mental health professional.
Now let's begin.
Number one, excessive fear or anxiety.
Do you tremble at the thought of doing a presentation?
Whether it's a fear of going out, a phobia of heights,
or anxiety talking to people,
extreme mood swings or persistent anxiety
can be a warning sign of a mental illness,
such as depression or bipolar disorder.
This kind of fear may be persistent
and at times it may not even have a particular trigger.
You may experience physiological symptoms, such as fatigue,
feeling tense, shaking, or trembling,
or gastrointestinal irritation.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
is one way that may help you manage your anxiety and fears.
Number two, social withdrawal.
Have you been canceling all your plans recently?
Perhaps you've just been feeling exhausted lately
or have no interest to socialize and meet other people.
Living with a mental illness is difficult
as it can often rob your desire to be around
or interact with others.
This may lead to a habit of withdrawing
and isolating yourself from your friends or family,
which may worsen your mental well-being.
If you experience social avoidance
as a cause of a mental health illness,
you may find it helpful to work with a therapist
on techniques to help you cope with this anxiety,
such as through meditation,
mindfulness and deep breathing exercises.
Number three, changes in sleeping or eating habits.
Are you having sleeping problems?
According to a 2005 study conducted by Strine and Chapman,
subjects who experienced sleep insufficiency
reported mental distress, depressive symptoms,
and physical pain.
Although we have much to learn about the exact
neurological connection between sleep and mental health,
scientists, physicians,
and therapists have come to understand
that it is vital to your health.
Sleep is a regenerative period for your body,
as it enables you to think,
learn and process emotions better.
Similarly, appetite of response can change
due to a mental health issue.
During a mental health episode,
emotional turmoil can cause people to overeat
or avoid eating altogether.
Number four, difficulty perceiving reality.
Have you experienced any hallucinations?
Another early warning sign of a mental illness
is a difficulty perceiving reality.
The symptoms can range from delusions,
maladaptive daydreaming to auditory
or visual hallucinations.
Difficulties in perceiving reality usually
is a precursor for psychosis,
which is a disruption between how your brain processes
the world and the narrative inside your head.
Those with bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder,
often experience psychotic episodes.
Seeking early medical attention might be beneficial
in preventing the psychosis from getting worse.
A professional may suggest talk therapy
or cognitive behavioral therapy
as the most preferred form of treatment.
Number five,
increasing inability to cope with daily problems.
Another early warning sign is an increasing inability
to cope with daily problems.
Despite the ambivalent research available,
some studies point to low stress tolerance
as part of the cost,
though there is no definitive way
of measuring distress tolerance.
It is safe to say that markers of distress,
such as irritability,
are present during or before a mental illness.
There are a number of articles regarding the links
between stress and mental illness.
A 2010 study found an interesting connection
between prolactin, stress, and mental health.
Although the research focuses on schizophrenia,
it can also apply to other mental illnesses.
The interesting thing about prolactin,
is that it is regulated by dopamine,
which is another hormone.
Low levels of dopamine can be a sign of mental illness,
but it can also be a cause of stress.
Combined with prolactin,
it can lead to more stress which can cause or exacerbate
a mental illness.
However, because stress and mental illness
have overlapping symptoms,
researchers find it difficult to figure out
which came first, the stress or the illness.
Number six, a drop in overall performance,
as a result of stress and poor sleep.
Another sign of mental illness is a drop
in overall performance.
This symptom can look like an inability to complete work,
but it can also look like choosing
to neglect your personal well-being,
such as foregoing personal hygiene.
Performance is not always work-related.
Mental illness can lead you to perform poorly
in your own life,
or you may procrastinate more often,
have difficulty getting up in the mornings
and even experience depersonalization.
Number seven, unexplained physical symptoms.
Do you bounce or skip when you're excited?
Or perhaps you tense up when you're afraid.
Like how you physically manifest your emotions,
many mental illnesses also have physiological symptoms.
Some physical cues include headaches or migraines, fatigues,
digestive issues, and muscle soreness.
Recently,
there has been a lot of research linking chronic pain
to mental illness.
On a neurological level,
the neuro-transmitters specifically serotonin,
norepinephrine and dopamine are implicated both
in pain control and other factors to take into account.
There is no doubt that chronic pain
and mental illness are connected.
Hence you may wanna be more mindful
if you find yourself experiencing
unexplainable physical pains or aches.
And number eight, unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Lastly, a warning sign of mental illness
is having unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Some frequent examples of unhealthy coping mechanisms are,
substance abuse, impulsive shopping, alcoholism, or cutting.
You may engage in these behaviors
in an attempt to manage your symptoms.
However, there are healthier alternatives,
such as meditating, journaling,
and exercise that may prove to be a better way
to help you cope.
Not all mental illnesses are the same.
They all have varying criteria
and present their own set of challenges.
If you or somebody you know suffers
from any of the symptoms mentioned here,
please seek professional help.
If you found this video helpful,
be sure to like, subscribe,
and share this video with those who might benefit from it.
And don't forget to hit the notification bell icon
to get notified whenever Psych2Go post a new video.
The references and studies used in this video are added
in the description below.
Thanks for watching.
And we'll see you in the next one.
(gentle piano music)