Everyone in life has something mentally not balanced or perfect.  Neurotransmitters can be slightly off for a period of time or someone may even have a life time of imbalance and require medication to rectify it.  Some suffer minor issues without need of medication but only require counseling and better coping strategies.  Many have minor mental diagnosis with things such as ADHD, OCD, depression, or anxiety.  Depending on the severity will determine the strength and duration of the care.

Others may have suffered trauma in life and require more intensive care and treatment.  Those with PTSD may require more intense care to help manage symptoms and triggers, while others may experience issues later in life from early childhood trauma, such as Bi-Polar Disorders, Borderline Personality Disorders and Attachment Disorders.  In addition, some individuals may experience deeper rooted mental illness within family history and due to genetic issues.  Psychosis and delusions can result from Schizophrenia or other mental maladies.  Others may inherit through lack of discipline or consequences behavioral mental illnesses that are anti-social in nature.  These individuals will manifest little care or regard for others, norms or values.

With this in mind, it is obvious that mental illness is a broad spectrum term.  Like all health, it is important to identify and not neglect.  Many feel stigma and shame associated with it because most of society labels mental health as one thing. Instead mental health can be tied to very minor and everyday disorders to severe issues.  Some cases can be minor, while some very serious.  Hence it is important to not neglect one’s mental health, feel stigmatized by it, or ignore the symptoms that may arise.

Some mental illnesses have their own types of symptoms, but for everyday individuals not suffering from severe past trauma, dealing with delusions, or possessing an anti-social personality, most can find cope and medicate if necessary and find balance in daily life.  Many with bi-polar depression, clinical depression, anxiety, ADHD, or OCD are able to function at high levels with the proper counseling and guidance.

The article, “Warning Signs of Mental Illness” from the APA lists a variety of symptoms of mental illness symptoms that if persist need assistance from a mental health care professionals.  While many of these issues may be temporary or minor and not related to a serious mental issue, it is important to find help to better cope and heal.  The article states,

“Major mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder rarely appear “out of the blue.” Most often family, friends, teachers or individuals themselves begin to recognize small changes or a feeling that “something is not quite right” about their thinking, feelings or behavior before a illness appears in its full-blown form. Learning about developing symptoms, or early warning signs, and taking action can help  ensure prompt treatment. Early intervention CAN help reduce the severity of an illness and interruptions in quality of life and functions. It may even be possible to delay or prevent a major mental illness altogether.”

“Warning Signs of Mental Illness”. APA.

To read the entire article, please access here

Most mental illness usually manifest in the teen age years or grows as result of trauma, especially if left untreated.  Many individuals ignore their mental health and later in early adulthood can face multiple issues they may not understand.  Those with attachment issues, or borderline personality disorders, or even bi-polar may find it very hard to function and maintain relationships and jobs.  It is hence important to track one’s moods seriously to see if anything unhealthy may be manifesting.  Most experts agree that one should not permit a mental or emotional symptom to persist longer than 2 weeks without seeking mental health assistance.

Some of the more common mental health changes are in mood.  Some common changes include anxiety, lack of interest, sudden and dramatic mood shifts, apathy, suicidal ideation, and withdraw from life.  Mental health also affects physical health.  Hormones and neurotransmitters can become imbalanced leading to mood shifts, but also affect physical energy levels, sensory perception,  increase fatigue or even cause the opposite and prevent one from sleeping.   It can also negatively effect appetite. In addition, individuals habits may change.  One may enter into a manic state, or withdraw, while others may turn to substance abuse, or abrupt sexual encounters.  Sudden changes like this in personality are signs of a problem.    Other changes can include negative effects on logical thinking processes.  Individuals may contemplate ridiculous and over exaggerated thoughts about self, or even become delusional and enter into states of psychosis in regards to reality.  Confusion, loss of time, worry, or fear can be signs of a pending problem.

All of these signs can vary in severity, frequency, or intensity, but if persistent over time represent some type of mental change that needs to be addressed.  Something may be resurfacing from the past, or something may be developing that needs addressed.  Sometimes it may even be physiological and connected to a physical issue.  Tumors on the brain are an example.

Like physical symptoms telling oneself our body has a cold or the flu, we need to also notice these symptoms and not merely displace them or move on.  With physical symptoms, one makes an appointment with a doctor.  If something does not seem right, one finds the help they need to correct it.  Mental health requires the same focus and care.  Symptoms are a result of an issue that needs addressed.  While many may be minor, some may not be and looking into it and finding the help one needs can be a the difference between life and death.

Conclusion

Mental health is as important as physical health.  They are actually very much interconnected.  Ignoring it due to shame or stigma can lead to greater issues.  Usually most mental health issues are minor and require temporary medication and learning ways to cope, but sometimes they can be more serious pointing to one’s past, a serious emerging problem, or something that is related to physical health.  It is important to find help to reduce the possibility of more severe illness.

Please also review AIHCP’s multiple mental health certifications for mental health care professionals and those in ministry and human services.  The certifications are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification.  AIHCP offers certifications for mental health care professionals and those in human services in Grief Counseling, Anger Management, Stress Management, Substance Abuse Counseling, ADHD Consulting and Crisis Intervention Consulting.  Please review any of AIHCP’s healthcare certifications

Remember certified and pastoral counselors can only help with non pathological issues.  Licensed professional counselors can help with deeper issues regarding pathology, but many licensed counselors also enhance their resume with certifications.

Additional Resources

“Signs of Mental Illness”. Frysh, P.  (2022). WebMD.  Access here

“Warning Signs and Symptoms”. NAMI. Access here

“Mental health: What’s normal, what’s not”. Mayo Clinic.  Access here

“Mental Health Diagnosis: Symptoms, Types, and Treatments”. Morin, A. (2023). VeryWellMind.  Access here