Common Symptoms of Mental Illness

Changes in mood and/or behaviour that are troubling or persist beyond two weeks should always prompt an evaluation by a doctor. Your family doctor is a good place to start, as he or she can rule out any physical causes for changes in mood or behaviour and refer you to a mental health professional.

Symptoms can vary with each type of mental illness and each individual. The following are some common symptoms to watch for:

• Confused thoughts, delusions, and/or hallucinations;
• Extreme fears or anxiety that seem “out of proportion” to circumstances or events;
• Lack of motivation for a prolonged period of time (more than two weeks);
• Persistent feelings of helplessness or hopelessness;
• Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed;
• Extreme mood swings between depression and mania, sometimes with overly reckless behaviour;
• Repeated, unusual actions such as handwashing or checking of lights;
• Unexplained physical symptoms such as nausea, trembling, fatigue, or headache;
• Difficulty concentrating and/or sudden irritability;
• Disruption to usual sleep patterns;
• Talk or thoughts of suicide.

While some of these symptoms are uncomfortable or frightening to talk about, the sooner you seek help, the better you will be prepared to manage a mental illness. Reaching out also reminds us that we are not alone, and there are professionals with expertise who can help.