Have you ever felt an unexplainable sadness that seemed to never go away? Have you ever found yourself constantly anxious or worried without any apparent reason? If your answer to these questions is yes, then you may be experiencing symptoms of mental illness.

Mental illness is a health condition that affects a person’s thinking, mood, and behavior. It can be caused by a variety of factors including genetics, environmental stressors, and past experiences. However, unlike physical illnesses such as colds or infections, mental illnesses are often shrouded in stigma, shame, and fear.

The stigma associated with mental illness often makes it difficult for people to seek help. Admitting that you are suffering from anxiety or depression can be challenging, especially when you fear being judged or ridiculed. There is often a societal expectation that we should always be happy and positive, making it challenging to open up about our struggles.

Furthermore, throughout history, mental illness has often been misunderstood, causing people to avoid seeking help to avoid being ostracized or outcasted. This fear of being judged or misunderstood leads many people to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol, which can exacerbate the symptoms of mental illness.

It is essential to understand that seeking help for mental illness is no different from seeking help for a physical ailment. Mental illness can be as debilitating as any physical illness, and it is imperative to seek help to improve your quality of life.

As a professional dual-diagnosis interventionist and a licensed psychotherapist with over two decades of experience, I have encountered many patients suffering from mental illness. Through my experience, I’ve learned how to recognize the most common symptoms associated with some of the most common types of mental illness.

One of the most common mental health disorders is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is an anxiety disorder that occurs after exposure to a highly stressful or traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD include recurrent and unwanted memories of the event, nightmares, physical reactions to triggers, and avoiding people, places, and things that remind the person of the trauma.

Another common mental illness is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). OCD is an anxiety disorder characterized by persistent unwanted thoughts followed by urges to act on those thoughts repeatedly. Symptoms of OCD include anxiety when an item is not in order, recurrent and frequent doubt if doors have been locked or electronic devices turned off, and repeated statements or positioning of items in strict order.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a mood disorder characterized by a persistent depressed mood that impairs the ability to function. Symptoms of MDD include overwhelming feelings of hopelessness and sadness, lack of interest or pleasure in activities normally enjoyed, and thoughts of suicide.

Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder characterized by uncontrollable mood swings ranging from severe depression to extreme mania. Symptoms of bipolar disorder include racing thoughts, exaggerating euphoric sense of self-confidence, easily agitated, overwhelming feelings of hopelessness and sadness, lack of interest or pleasure in activities normally enjoyed, and thoughts of suicide.

Schizophrenia is a thought disorder characterized by a breakdown between beliefs, emotions, and behaviors caused by delusions and hallucinations. Symptoms of schizophrenia include delusions with false beliefs, hallucinations with a false sensory perception, and disorganized thought and behavior.

Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, are also common mental illnesses. These disorders are characterized by excessive fear of gaining weight, extreme food restriction, self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, and the constant fear of gaining weight.

In conclusion, mental illness is a real health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is imperative to shed the stigma associated with mental illness and seek help if you are experiencing symptoms. There are many resources available, including mental health professionals, support groups, and hotlines. Early detection and treatment may significantly improve the prognosis for recovery. Remember that seeking help for mental illness is no different from seeking help for a physical ailment. We all deserve to live happy, healthy lives, free from the burden of mental illness.