7 Warning Signs You Need a Mental Wellness Check By rjoachim | November 23, 2022 Around 54 million Americans suffer from a mental disorder or illness in any given year.[1] Mental illness affects 1 in 4 people worldwide at some point in their lives.[2] Many of these illnesses are very treatable with medication, psychotherapy, or both, so if you believe that you may be experiencing the signs of mental illness, seek help from a trained professional as soon as possible. Society often stigmatizes mental illness and those who suffer from it, and it can be easy to believe that the reason you have problems is because you’re worthless or not working hard enough.Genetic makeup. Some mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression, are strongly linked to genetics. If anyone else in your family has been diagnosed with mental illness, you may be more vulnerable to developing one due simply to your genetic makeup.Physiological damage. Injuries such as severe head trauma, or exposure to viruses, bacteria, or toxins during fetal development, can lead to mental illness. Abuse of illegal drugs and/or alcohol can also cause or worsen mental illness.Chronic medical conditions. Chronic medical conditions, such as cancer and other long-term severe illnesses, can elevate your risk for developing mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression.Highly emotional or distressing situations in life can trigger mental illness in a person. This can be concentrated in a moment, such as the loss of a loved one, or drawn out, such as a history of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse. Experience in combat or as an emergency responder can also trigger mental illness.Stress can worsen existing mental illness and can also cause mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety. Family conflicts, financial difficulties, and work concerns can all be sources of stress.Feelings of sadness or irritabilityFeelings of confusion or disorientationFeelings of apathy or loss of interestExcessive worrying and anger/hostility/violenceFeeling afraid/paranoiaTrouble coping with emotionsDifficulty concentratingDifficulty handling responsibilitiesSeclusion or social withdrawalSleeping problemsDelusions and/or hallucinationsIdeas that are strange, grandiose, or detached from realityAlcohol or drug abuseSignificant changes in eating habits or sex driveSuicidal thoughts or plans https://www.wikihow.com/Know-if-You-Are-Mentally-Ill Posted in Health & Wellness