10/21/2021
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), nearlyย one in five adultsย in the U.S. has mental illness. Despite how common mental health conditions are, not everyone knows how to identify them.
Early detection and intervention for mental illness is key to help a person get connected to a support system and improve long-term recovery outcomes. Especially considering that untreated mental illness can lead to both worsening symptoms and unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as substance use.
Here are five symptoms of mental illness that are often overlooked;
1. Constant Fatigue
This shouldnโt come as a surprise, but living with mental illness can beย exhausting.
2. Physical Pain
A key understanding in the integrated approach to mental health is that the body and the mind are inextricably connected. If your body is sick, this can affect your mental health. And vice versa.
3. Perfectionism
Some mental illnesses can distort how you perceive yourself, others and your surroundings. One of the ways that this can show in your life is in the expectations you set for yourself.
4. Lack of Emotion
Lack of emotion is a common symptom of mental illness that isnโt always talked about.ย
5. Avoidance
Everyone has times where they might avoid a certain task, or even certain people, for a variety of reasons: Procrastination, stress or a lack of interest. Developing a pattern of avoidance, however, can sometimes be a sign of a deeper issue.
If you have any concerns or would like more information, please feel free to contact me โค