There is nothing more difficult than watching a friend or loved one struggle with symptoms of mental illness. Many times you wonder how you can help and support them, but you don’t know how or where to begin.
You are not alone.
Understand that you or family members may play a role in your friend or loved one’s recovery journey. Whether you provide a lot or a little assistance, you can help and support the people you care for. In this article, we will provide you with the information you need to get started.
What is a Mental Illness?
Mental illness is a condition that affects how people think, feel, and act. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the most common mental illnesses include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and psychosis, to name a few.
Mental illnesses are a serious concern as symptoms affect everyday life. It also doesn’t discriminate based on age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or background. It is important to note that mental health problems are so common that one in five Americans experience them in a given year.
If you witness a friend or loved one go through any changes in their normal behavior, it can be difficult to watch them struggle and find ways to help and support them. As mental illness can affect anyone at any stage of their lives, it’s important to educate yourself and learn to recognize the signs of mental illness in friends or loved ones so you know what steps to take.
How to Recognize Signs of Mental Illness in Loved Ones
The Mental Health America organization provides detailed information to learn about the signs and symptoms of mental illness, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD and ADD, and substance use disorder. Educating yourself is an important first step as friends or loved ones have different backgrounds and experiences that may affect the changes in their behavior.
Because mental illness doesn’t discriminate based on age, understand that children, young adults, adolescents, and adults may show one or more different mental illness symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms include lack of or being unable to focus, panic attacks, unable to sleep or eat, showing no interest in activities that once upon a time they enjoyed, being agitated, having violent outbursts, or experiencing fear or anger. Below we provide you with a detailed list of symptoms based on age groups.
Symptoms in Adults, Young Adults, and Adolescents
The Mental Health America organization states the following are symptoms that adults, young adults, and adolescents may experience:
- Confused thinking
- Depression (prolonged feelings of sadness or irritability)
- Extreme highs and lows
- Excessive fear and strong anger feelings
- Delusions or hallucinations
- Social withdrawal
- Changes in eating and sleeping habits
- Unexplained body pains and headaches
- Substance abuse (drugs and/or alcohol)
- Suicidal thoughts (if a friend or loved one is in a crisis now, seek help by calling 911. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is also available 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255).
Symptoms in Children and Pre-Adolescents
When you are learning to recognize the mental illness signs in children and pre-adolescents, one must take into consideration that children are still learning to communicate. Pay extra attention to the changes in the behavior, such as changes in school performance, poor grades (even though they are making an effort), changes in sleeping and eating habits, hyperactivity, persistent nightmares, disobedience, or aggression, and persistent temper tantrums.
Symptoms experienced by older children and pre-adolescents may include:
- Substance abuse (drugs and/or alcohol)
- Changes in managing school or home responsibilities
- Excessive complaints about body pains or headaches
- Negative moods
- Intense feelings of fear
- Changes in sleeping or eating patterns or habits
- Outbursts of anger
Note that witnessing these symptoms in friends or loved ones does not necessarily mean they are suffering from a mental health problem, as they can also be symptoms related to other problems in the body. It is crucial to seek a medical evaluation from a health care professional that includes a physical test and lab tests to rule out any other potential problems.
How to Help a Friend or Loved Ones
Friends and family are a great influence as a friend or loved one goes through the recovery process.
You can educate yourself about mental health problems and learn to recognize the signs. Be alert and observant about any changes in behaviors or habits. Knowing is the first step.
Supporting a Friend or Loved One
You can ensure that you and your friend or loved ones have a way to create open communication. Start a conversation about mental health problems with your friends or loved ones, and express your concerns and willingness to help and listen. Practice patience and listen to their concerns without being judgmental or disregarding their feelings.
During that time, you can provide them with information, support, love, and guidance. Remind them that help is available and that there are treatments to manage mental illness symptoms.
How to Talk About Mental Health
If you don’t know how to start a conversation about mental health, you can approach a friend or loved one with questions, listen to their responses, and pay attention to their body language. The goal is to connect with them while being straightforward in your conversation. Make sure you also use language adequate for their age. And above all, have a discussion at a place and time when a friend or loved one feels safe and comfortable.
Make sure to use “I” statements along with your leading questions when starting a conversation with friends or loved ones. Below we offer some examples:
- I’m worried about you. Can we talk about what you are experiencing?
- I care about you. What do you want me to know about how you have been feeling?
- How can I help and support you?
- I’m concerned about your safety. Have you been having thoughts about harming yourself or others?
Understand that friends or loved ones may not be comfortable talking to you or answering your questions. You can encourage them to seek help or talk with a mental health care provider. You can even help them by talking to their insurance providers, completing research, and finding the right mental treatment facilities.
Remember that if a friend or loved one is experiencing a crisis right now, you can call 911 for help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is also available 24/7, you can reach them at 1-800-273-8255 or via their Lifeline Chat.
Getting Help
Once your loved one starts to receive treatment for a mental illness, he or she will continue to need your support, love, and understanding. Your support during this difficult time will be crucial as loved ones start their journey towards managing mental illness symptoms.
At Alvarado Parkway Institute, we believe recovery from mental illness is possible. Our mission is to help individuals who are struggling with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and psychosis overcome symptoms of mental illness so they can live a happy and healthy life. Our team at the Alvarado Parkway Institute wants to help, you can reach us seven days a week, twenty hours a day at 619-667-6187 or by completing the contact form.
