Mental illness has many signs and it can be detected early.

There are many statistics regarding the growing problem of cancer, Alzheimer’s, and health conditions, but the mental illness situation in the United States needs attention as well.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in five Americans suffers from a type of mental health illness. More precisely, over 43 million people are diagnosed every year with a mental disorder.

These statistics are the proof that the situation is critical, so active measures need to be taken immediately to deal with this growing number of cases.

According to Josh Klapow, Ph.D., and clinical psychologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, mental health problems might lead even to dementia which is a severe form of brain disease that affects many people nowadays.

He underlined that besides the risk of dementia, persons living with a mental disorder suffer from a personality disorder, anger control, anxiety, depression, and addiction. But most of these symptoms can be treated if diagnosed early and with the proper treatment.

Also, even if scientists haven’t found a cure for dementia until now, some treatments can deal with some of its symptoms and they can improve the life quality of every patient.

Experts explain that early detection is the key to deal with any mental disorder, even if it cannot be cured. For instance, adults who most likely suffer from a mental condition show symptoms such as excessive anger and violence, abuse of alcohol and drugs, excessive anxiety, prolonged depression, inability to cope with problems, personality change, and marked changes in sleeping or eating habits.

On the other hand, a mental disorder is harder to detect when it comes to children, but some of these signs are obvious and require active countermeasures as soon as they are observed.

These symptoms manifest as suicide talks, violence towards others, the adoption of ritualistic behaviors, alcohol and drug use, and eating habits that affect the child’s weight.

Also, the child might attempt hurting him- or herself and other animals including biting fingernails until bleeding, pulling out hair, scarring, and cutting.

Klapow underlines that seeking medical attention is your best bet as family, friends, and doctors will provide you with moral support first which is more important than any medication.

Suffering from a mental illness doesn’t mean that you will change your behavior and become violent or worse but taking care of our mental health is vital in order to improve our life quality. A healthy diet, physical exercises, studying, games, and many other educational and entertaining activities will help adults and children as well.

Image Source:Daily Telegraph